SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — Columbus
Columbus, OH · 10 metro areas compared
In Columbus, OH the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers reaches $100,890 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Columbus, OH the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers reaches $100,890 a year. That is 32.4% more than the national median of $76,210. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $71,150 and $103,210. The lowest tenth earn under $60,450, while the highest tenth earn more than $111,420.
Employment stands at 5,190, or 4.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Cincinnati leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $80,410. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 86th of 611 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,450 | −20.7% |
| 25th | $71,150 | −6.6% |
| Median (50th) | $100,890 | +32.4% |
| 75th | $103,210 | +35.4% |
| 90th | $111,420 | +46.2% |
| Mean | $89,230 | +17.1% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati | $80,410 | 3,900 | |
| 2 | Cleveland | $80,280 | 5,200 | |
| 3 | Dayton | $76,310 | 1,440 | |
| 4 | Akron | $74,650 | 1,610 | |
| 5 | Toledo | $73,650 | 1,230 | |
| 6 | Sandusky | $70,550 | 320 | |
| 7 | Canton | $64,340 | 510 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $63,120 | 170 | |
| 9 | Lima | $62,170 | 180 | |
| 10 | Mansfield | $59,560 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $100,890 goes as far as $108,718 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 42.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$100,890as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$108,718US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $100,890 a year, 32.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,450 to $111,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 5,190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cincinnati, at $80,410.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Columbus, OH?
The median annual wage is $100,890, or $48.50 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,210, so pay in Columbus, OH is 32.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbus, OH earns more than $111,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,450 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Cincinnati, at $80,410 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 5,190 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, OH. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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