Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Washington
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Washington earn a median of $102,080 a year ($49.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,200 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $76,210. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.6 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $104,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| 25th percentile | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| Median | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| 75th percentile | $118,480 | $56.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,200 | $63.56 |
| Average (mean) | $104,140 | $50.07 |
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 | $8,506.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,253.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,926.15 |
| Weekly | $1,963.08 |
| Hourly | $49.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $115,120 | 4,520 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $104,570 | 340 |
| Bellingham, WA | $101,810 | 310 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $101,440 | 350 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $100,480 | 220 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $99,810 | 380 |
| Yakima, WA | $98,340 | 370 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $98,030 | 150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $97,200 | 2,290 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $95,660 | 600 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $94,930 | 120 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $83,620 | 90 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $115,790 | $55.67 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| Bailiff | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Security Guard | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Firefighter | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $129,350 | $62.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,080 | $30.81 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington is $102,080 a year, or $49.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Washington?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington earn at least $132,200 a year. The top 25% earn $118,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,120 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $92,930 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Washington?
About 9,160 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.