Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Rhode Island
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Rhode Island earn a median of $77,230 a year ($37.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,760 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $76,210. Rhode Island ranks 21st of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. 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 $78,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| 25th percentile | $69,370 | $33.35 |
| Median | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| 75th percentile | $91,620 | $44.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,760 | $44.12 |
| Average (mean) | $78,760 | $37.86 |
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 | $6,435.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,217.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,970.38 |
| Weekly | $1,485.19 |
| Hourly | $37.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $76,850 | 3,120 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $88,450 | $42.52 |
| Security Guard | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Firefighter | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,690 | $46.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,170 | $40.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $55,060 | $26.47 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $89,320 | $42.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Rhode Island is $77,230 a year, or $37.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Rhode Island earn at least $91,760 a year. The top 25% earn $91,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,020 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $69,370 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Rhode Island?
About 1,940 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.