Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to increase by 3.5% between 2024 and 2034, from 693,200 to 717,300 jobs. Its estimate of 51,500 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($76,210), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
693,200
Projected employment (2034)
717,300
Projected change (2024–2034)
4%
Annual openings (projected average)
51,500
Pay & Preparation
$76,210
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Active Listening (4.12/5) • Speaking (4/5) • Social Perceptiveness (4/5) • Critical Thinking (4/5) • Active Listening (4/5) • Speaking (3.88/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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