Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $101,970 a year ($49.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,630 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 5% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $97,350. There are 3.1 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $97,170, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,640 | $36.85 |
| 25th percentile | $83,590 | $40.19 |
| Median | $101,970 | $49.02 |
| 75th percentile | $106,050 | $50.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,630 | $54.63 |
| Average (mean) | $97,170 | $46.72 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,497.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,248.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,921.92 |
| Weekly | $1,960.96 |
| Hourly | $49.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $100,060 | 370 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $96,740 | 600 |
| Greeley, CO | $96,620 | 460 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $93,640 | 240 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $91,580 | 1,240 |
| Pueblo, CO | $76,060 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $113,340 | $54.49 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Security Guard | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Firefighter | $87,980 | $42.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $119,500 | $57.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $101,970 a year, or $49.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $113,630 a year. The top 25% earn $106,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,640 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $83,590 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 4,990 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.