Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Pennsylvania
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $85,470 a year ($41.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,780 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $76,210. Pennsylvania ranks 11th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.4 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,910, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,680 | $23.41 |
| 25th percentile | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Median | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| 75th percentile | $96,970 | $46.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,780 | $52.78 |
| Average (mean) | $81,910 | $39.38 |
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 | $7,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,561.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,287.31 |
| Weekly | $1,643.65 |
| Hourly | $41.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg, PA | $91,530 | 230 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,580 | 13,160 |
| Reading, PA | $87,060 | 690 |
| Lancaster, PA | $86,800 | 760 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $84,530 | 1,610 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $84,470 | 1,480 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $83,190 | 5,080 |
| Erie, PA | $80,860 | 660 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $79,550 | 630 |
| Lebanon, PA | $79,430 | 210 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $72,210 | 1,360 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $70,670 | 250 |
| Altoona, PA | $70,560 | 240 |
| State College, PA | $70,510 | 360 |
| Williamsport, PA | $66,710 | 230 |
| Johnstown, PA | $59,240 | 200 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $46.91 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $45,770 | $22.00 |
| Bailiff | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Security Guard | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| Firefighter | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $94,600 | $45.48 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Pennsylvania is $85,470 a year, or $41.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Pennsylvania earn at least $109,780 a year. The top 25% earn $96,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,680 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $63,080 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Pennsylvania?
About 26,510 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.