Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Wisconsin
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Wisconsin earn a median of $78,090 a year ($37.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,450 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $76,210. Wisconsin ranks 18th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.2 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,560, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| 25th percentile | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Median | $78,090 | $37.55 |
| 75th percentile | $84,850 | $40.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Average (mean) | $76,560 | $36.81 |
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 | $6,507.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,253.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,003.46 |
| Weekly | $1,501.73 |
| Hourly | $37.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,090 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 cities in Wisconsin
| 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 |
| Madison, WI | $80,580 | 1,600 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $73,470 | $35.32 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,040 | $43.77 |
| Bailiff | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $89,110 | $42.84 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| Security Guard | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Firefighter | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,310 | $40.05 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $96,260 | $46.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Wisconsin is $78,090 a year, or $37.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Wisconsin earn at least $94,450 a year. The top 25% earn $84,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,530 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $67,450 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Wisconsin?
About 12,320 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.