Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Massachusetts
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Massachusetts earn a median of $78,940 a year ($37.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,150 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $76,210. Massachusetts ranks 15th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.7 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| 25th percentile | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Median | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| 75th percentile | $97,390 | $46.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,150 | $51.99 |
| Average (mean) | $83,230 | $40.01 |
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 | $6,578.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,289.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,036.15 |
| Weekly | $1,518.08 |
| Hourly | $37.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MA | $83,050 | 1,570 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $80,210 | 530 |
| Worcester, MA | $80,210 | 2,000 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,180 | 11,440 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $76,940 | 280 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $76,850 | 3,120 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $73,480 | 430 |
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.
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,150 | $52.96 |
| Bailiff | $86,730 | $41.70 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| Security Guard | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Firefighter | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $50.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Massachusetts is $78,940 a year, or $37.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Massachusetts earn at least $108,150 a year. The top 25% earn $97,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,160 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $71,970 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Massachusetts?
About 17,040 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.