SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — District of Columbia
District of Columbia · 1 metro areas compared
In District of Columbia the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers is $88,650 a year, which is 16.3% higher than the national figure of $76,210.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In District of Columbia the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers is $88,650 a year, which is 16.3% higher than the national figure of $76,210. Half of workers earn between $77,210 and $107,360. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $66,420 and the ninetieth at $119,660.
The area has 4,720 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.56 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, District of Columbia ranks 9th by median wage. Washington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $84,000. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 203rd of 465 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,420 | −12.8% |
| 25th | $77,210 | +1.3% |
| Median (50th) | $88,650 | +16.3% |
| 75th | $107,360 | +40.9% |
| 90th | $119,660 | +57.0% |
| Mean | $92,390 | +21.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in District of Columbia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $84,000 | 14,630 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $88,650 buys what $80,664 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$88,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,664US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $88,650 a year, 16.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $66,420 to $119,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,720 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 9th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Washington, at $84,000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage is $88,650, or $42.62 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 District of Columbia is 16.3% 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 District of Columbia earns more than $119,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $66,420 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 Washington, at $84,000 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,720 jobs in this occupation in District of Columbia. 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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