### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Police and Detectives Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			police and detectives imagePolice officers, detectives, and game wardens enforce laws to protect people and their property.							
						Quick Facts:     Police and Detectives2023     Median Pay
            						$74,910     per year
										$36.02     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    See How to Become OneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    808,700Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    3% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    23,800What Police and Detectives Do
                                                
                        
                        
Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Police and sheriff's patrol officers and transit and railroad police have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Working around the clock in shifts is common.
            
                                                How to Become a Police Officer or Detective
                                                
                        
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for police and detectives was $74,910 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of police and detectives is projected to grow							 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 64,500 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for police and detectives.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of police and detectives with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Police and Detectives Do 
            

			Police and detectivesPolice officers use computers to check license information.			
Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called *agents* or *special agents*, gather facts and collect evidence of crimes.
Duties
Police officers, detectives, and criminal investigators typically do the following:
Respond to emergency and nonemergency calls
Patrol assigned areas, observing people and activities
Conduct traffic stops and issue citations
Search restricted-access databases for vehicle or other records and warrants
Obtain and serve warrants for arrests, searches, and other purposes
Arrest people suspected of committing crimes
Collect and secure evidence from crime scenes
Observe the activities of suspects
Write detailed reports and fill out forms
Prepare cases for legal proceedings and testify in courtJob duties differ by employer and function, but police and detectives are required by law to write detailed reports and keep meticulous records. Most carry law enforcement equipment such as radios, handcuffs, and guns.
The following are examples of types of police and detectives:
***Detectives and criminal investigators*** are uniformed or plainclothes officers who gather facts and collect evidence related to criminal cases. They conduct interviews, examine records, monitor suspects, and participate in raids and arrests. Detectives typically investigate serious crimes, such as assaults, robberies, and homicides. In large police departments, detectives usually specialize in investigating one type of crime, such as homicide or fraud. They are typically assigned cases on a rotating basis and work on them until an arrest and trial are completed or until the case is dropped.
***Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents***, sometimes called *special agents*, investigate and pursue criminal cases that violate federal law. FBI agents are responsible for crimes against public agencies, such as Medicare fraud, or that cross state lines. In addition, federal agents may join or take over investigations of certain types of state cases, such as those related to prescription drugs or large sums of money.
***Fish and game wardens*** enforce fishing, hunting, and boating laws. They patrol fishing and hunting areas, conduct search and rescue operations, investigate complaints and accidents, and educate the public about laws pertaining to the outdoors. Federal fish and game wardens are often referred to as Federal Wildlife Officers.
***Police and sheriff’s patrol officers*** are the most common type of police and detectives, and they have general law enforcement duties. They wear uniforms that allow the public to easily recognize them as police officers. They have regular patrols and also respond to emergency and nonemergency calls. During patrols, officers observe people and activities to ensure order and safety.
Some police officers work only on a specific type of crime, such as narcotics. Officers, especially those working in large departments, may work in special units, such as mounted (horseback), motorcycle, or special weapons and tactics (SWAT). Typically, officers must work as patrol officers for a certain number of years before they are appointed to a special unit.
***Transit and railroad police*** patrol train yards and transportation hubs, such as subway stations. They protect property, employees, and passengers from crimes such as thefts and robberies. They remove trespassers from railroad and transit properties and check IDs of people who try to enter secure areas.
 Work Environment
			Police and detectivesPolice and detectives regularly work at crime and accident scenes.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Police and detectives held about 808,700 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up police and detectives was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
                684,000Detectives and criminal investigators
                114,400Fish and game wardens
                6,900Transit and railroad police
                3,400The largest employers of police and detectives were as follows:
        Government
                96%Educational services; state, local, and private
                4Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Officers must be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift. Officers regularly work at crime and accident scenes and encounter suffering and the results of violence. Although a career in law enforcement may be stressful, many officers find it rewarding to help members of their communities.
Some federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Secret Service, require extensive travel, often on short notice. These agents may relocate a number of times over the course of their careers. Other agencies, such as U.S. Border Patrol, may require work outdoors in rugged terrain and in all kinds of weather.
Injuries and Illnesses
Police and sheriff's patrol officers and transit and railroad police have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They may face physical injuries during conflicts with criminals and other high-risk situations.
Work Schedules
Most police and detectives work full time. Paid overtime is common, and shift work is necessary to protect the public at all times.
FBI special agents must work at least 50 hours a week and are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 How to Become a Police Officer or Detective

			Police and detectivesPolice and detectives must use good judgment and have strong communication skills when gathering facts about a crime.			
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing a period of on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications. A felony conviction or drug use may disqualify a candidate.
Education
Police and detective applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some federal agencies and police departments may require that applicants have completed college coursework or a college degree. Many community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities offer programs in law enforcement and criminal justice. Knowledge of a foreign language is an asset in many federal agencies and geographical regions.
Fish and game wardens typically need a bachelor’s degree; desirable fields of study include wildlife science, biology, or natural resources. Federal Wildlife Officers and some state-level fish and game wardens typically do not need a bachelor’s degree.
Federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation may require prospective detectives and investigators to have a bachelor's degree.
Many applicants for entry-level police jobs have completed some college coursework, and a significant number are college graduates. Common fields of degree include security and protective service and social science.
Training
Candidates for law enforcement appointment usually attend a training academy before becoming an officer. Training includes classroom instruction in state and local laws and constitutional law, civil rights, and police ethics. Recruits also receive training and supervised experience in subjects such as patrol, traffic control, firearm use, self-defense, first aid, and emergency response.
Federal law enforcement agents undergo extensive training, usually at the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, or at a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Because they need experience in law enforcement, detectives typically begin their careers as police officers.
FBI special agent applicants  must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience, or 1 year of experience plus an advanced degree (master’s or higher).
Other Experience
Some police departments have cadet programs for people interested in a career in law enforcement who do not yet meet age requirements for becoming an officer. These cadets do clerical work and attend classes until they reach the minimum age requirement and can apply for a position with the regular force. Military or police experience may be considered beneficial for prospective cadets.
Cadet candidates usually must be at least 18 years old, have a driver’s license, and meet specific physical qualifications. Applicants may have to pass physical exams of vision, hearing, strength, and agility, as well as written exams. Candidates typically go through a series of interviews and may be asked to take polygraph (lie detector) and drug tests. A felony conviction may disqualify a candidate.
Most states and local jurisdictions require candidates to be U.S. citizens, but some do not. Federal officers must be U.S. citizens.
Advancement
Police officers usually become eligible for promotion after a probationary period. Promotions to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain usually are made according to scores on a written examination and on-the-job performance. In large departments, an officer may be promoted to detective or to specialize in one type of police work, such as working with juveniles.
Along with exam and performance scores, a bachelor’s degree may be required for advancement to positions of lieutenant or higher rank.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident.
***Empathy.*** Police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public.
***Good judgment.*** Police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems.
***Leadership skills.*** Police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies.
***Perceptiveness.*** Officers, detectives, and fish and game wardens must be able to anticipate people’s reactions and understand why they act a certain way.
***Physical stamina.*** Officers and detectives must be in good physical shape, both to pass required tests for entry into the field and to keep up with the daily rigors of the job.
***Physical strength.*** Police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Police and DetectivesMedian annual wages, May 2023Police and detectives$74,910  Law enforcement workers$66,030  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for police and detectives was $74,910 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,790, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $117,100.

			
                    	Median annual wages for police and detectives in May 2023 were as follows:
        Detectives and criminal investigators
		$91,100Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
		72,280Transit and railroad police
		72,250Fish and game wardens
		60,380In May 2023, the median annual wages for police and detectives in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Government
                $75,570Educational services; state, local, and private
                62,590Most police and detectives work full time. Paid overtime is common, and shift work is necessary to protect the public at all times.
**Other Compensation and Benefits**
Many law enforcement agencies provide officers with an allowance for uniforms, as well as extensive benefits and the option to retire at an age that is younger than the typical retirement age. Some police departments offer additional pay for bilingual officers or those with college degrees.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Police and DetectivesPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Police and detectives3%  Total, all occupations3%  Law enforcement workers0%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of police and detectives is projected to grow				 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 64,500 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment of police and detectives varies by occupation (see table).
A desire for public safety may result in a need for more officers. However, demand for employment is expected to vary by location, driven largely by local and state budgets. Even when crime rates fall, demand for police services to maintain public safety is expected to continue.
			

                        Employment projections data for     police and detectives, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Police and detectives**
			—
			808,700
			832,500
			3
			23,800
			—**Detectives and criminal investigators**
			33-3021
			114,400
			116,100
			1
			1,700
			Get data**Fish and game wardens**
			33-3031
			6,900
			6,500
			-6
			-400
			Get data**Police and sheriff’s patrol officers**
			33-3051
			684,000
			706,500
			3
			22,500
			Get data**Transit and railroad police**
			33-3052
			3,400
			3,500
			3
			100
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Detectives and criminal investigators
					Fish and game wardens
					Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
					Transit and railroad police **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of police and detectives. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Correctional Officers and Bailiffs**
            Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $53,290**EMTs and Paramedics**
            Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $44,780**Firefighters**
            Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,120**Private Detectives and Investigators**
            Private detectives and investigators gather, analyze, and report information to clients regarding legal or personal matters.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $49,540**Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists**
            Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
            Bachelor's degree
            $61,800**Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers**
            Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property from illegal activity.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $37,090**Emergency Management Directors**
            Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies.
            Bachelor's degree
            $83,960**Forensic Science Technicians**
            Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,940**Fire Inspectors**
            Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire regulations, and investigate causes of fires.
            See How to Become One
            $71,420
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about federal law enforcement, visit
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Marshals Service
U.S. Secret Service
For more information about police and detective careers, contact your state or local law enforcement agency.
CareerOneStop
For career videos on police and detectives, visit
Fish and Game Wardens
Police Patrol Officers

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Customs and Border Protection OfficersDetectives and Criminal InvestigatorsFish and Game WardensIntelligence AnalystsPolice Identification and Records OfficersPolice and Sheriff’s Patrol OfficersTransit and Railroad Police
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm (visited *May 17, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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