Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Madison, WI
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $80,580 a year ($38.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,410 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $78,090. There are 3.9 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| 25th percentile | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Median | $80,580 | $38.74 |
| 75th percentile | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,410 | $47.31 |
| Average (mean) | $80,890 | $38.89 |
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 | $6,715 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,357.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,099.23 |
| Weekly | $1,549.62 |
| Hourly | $38.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,190 | 5,570 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $82,090 | 3,660 |
| Green Bay, WI | $81,110 | 580 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $80,200 | 330 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $79,670 | 230 |
| Kenosha, WI | $78,780 | 360 |
| Wausau, WI | $78,150 | 250 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $77,840 | 420 |
| Appleton, WI | $77,620 | 340 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $76,720 | 200 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $76,220 | 510 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $75,440 | 310 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $74,220 | 360 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $74,050 | 290 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Security Guard | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Firefighter | $56,430 | $27.13 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $59,140 | $28.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,320 | $20.35 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Madison, WI metro area is $80,580 a year, or $38.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $98,410 a year. The top 25% earn $84,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,730 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $76,520 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Madison, WI?
About 1,600 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.