An Overview of Highly Compensated Law Enforcement Roles
The Top Paying Law Enforcement Careers in 2023
Not all law enforcement jobs pay the same, and those that do are not always the most desirable. High salaries generally require a combination of advanced training, extensive experience, specialized skill sets and expanded responsibilities. It is also important to note that many of the highest-paid law enforcement personnel work in dangerous locations or need to deal with high-profile threats to public safety. Salary types and levels can vary for the same job title. For example, many state troopers earn low salaries immediately after graduating from police academy. However, their wages increase as they accumulate years of service. Even though the starting pay for some jobs can be modest, it does not mean that you will not make a lot of money later . Seniority matters, and law enforcement officers with many years of experience can make six figures, if they work in high-paying areas. When it comes to the most high-paying law enforcement careers, the following categories are generally among the most lucrative. Large metropolitan areas usually offer some of the highest paying jobs in law enforcement. Because of the size and vast populations of major cities, law enforcement in these areas typically have extensive responsibilities. This creates opportunities in every aspect of law enforcement, including administration, enforcement, investigation and security. Although larger cities usually have the highest paying law enforcement jobs, these positions are also highly competitive.
Law Enforcement Positions within the Federal Government
These are some of the highest paid federal law enforcement careers in the nation. The FBI has a pay scale that is very lucrative. Their higher starting salaries are quite appealing. Their management team and higher-ranking members are quite enticing so people want to make their way up the ranks. This includes the DEA as well. The Drug Enforcement Agency offers competitive salaries that cannot be denied. Once you become an agent in the Secret Service you are paid higher wages. The benefits are quite appealing. They just pushed the retirement age to 57 for agents that have 20 years of federal service.
A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent is hired as a special agent which is a federal law enforcement officer. These agents have multiple kinds of responsibilities that include investigating multiple offenses from kidnapping to terrorism including investigating any criminal act or terrorism act against the United States.
A United States Secret Service (USSS) special agent protects the President, Vice President, and other dignitaries including visiting heads of state. They also patrol and guard the White House, the Vice President’s residence, and foreign diplomatic missions and embassies. Special agents are also known as federal law enforcement officers because they hold many duties including the investigating and apprehension of counterfeiters and the prevention of such activity.
A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent is a federal law enforcement officer for the Unites States that investigates clandestine drug labs and drug trafficking organizations. They investigate individuals trafficking illicit drugs and enforce controlled substances laws and regulations.
Special Units and Sworn Positions
Within police departments, there are several specialized units where salaries can vary significantly. For instance, in most metropolitan police agencies, the average individual patrol officer will make less than the average pay for all metropolitan patrol officers. However, individuals that fill specialized roles such as SWAT officers, K-9 officers, bomb squad officers, and officers within the accident reconstruction unit often receive additional compensation on top of their salary. The goal of this additional compensation is to keep these individuals on staff working in a specialized unit instead of moving back to their patrol divisions. The amount of additional compensation varies significantly depending on the agency. In some metropolitan departments, SWAT officers may receive a monthly add on of up to $600 in addition to overtime for being on the SWAT team. In SWAT roles such as sniper, the add on may be closer to $850 per month. With K-9 officers, the salary add on may be as high as $750 per month, but can also be closer to $200 per month in some agencies such as Baltimore County Police Department where officers tend to be paid based on seniority. Similar figures are common with bomb squad technicians, as is the case with accident reconstruction officers in departments such as the Montgomery County Police Department. While hourly salaries can be significant, some departments have a requirement that officers must work full time in a specialized role for a decade or more before they can receive a pension. Other departments have pension caps and additional stipulations that many individuals trained in specialized roles such as K-9 or bomb squad receive a notable portion of their compensation. Most of these officers still work in patrol divisions, usually, on the midnight or day shift. The ability for officers to work such shifts and still command such significant salaries is due to the massive amount of overtime hours required to be worked by officers to adequately staff the division, especially during peak operational hours for their SWAT, K-9, bomb squad, and accident reconstruction teams. In addition to departmental promotions outside of the patrol division, there is a very high rate of departmental transfers and job openings at other police agencies regionally that most officers in the department are aware of and considering. Although the Otisville Command School is known within the department, at least one officer has applied to the Command School in Maryland for a one-year position that offers 1.25 years on the pension without those years counting against the 25 years required for retirement in a new state/agency.
Law Enforcement Employing State Agencies
State law enforcement careers are typically those of a state police or state highway patrol officer. While they are not available in all states, there are many that have these types of positions and salaries are even higher than the federal level (the U.S. Marshals are technically federal and are paid the lowest). In fact, state troopers are the highest paid state law officers in 37 states out of the 50. The starting salary for these jobs is substantially more than many other law enforcement careers, at $61,000 in the United States. Four states have higher averages than this already-high amount. For Pennsylvania state police officers, the average sits at $70,000. Alaska law enforcement officers earn $80,000 on average, and Minnesota police are the highest-paid state officers, at an annual average of $92,000. California tops the list for highest paying states, who make $100,000 per year.
Investigative Positions
While not all law enforcement careers are high-paying, advancement into a specialized investigative role is a strong option for those looking to increase their earnings. Investigative roles may involve high-stakes problem solving under stressful and time-sensitive conditions while being highly rewarding as you work towards a solution that resolves legal disputes, helps solve crimes, or leads to a successful prosecution. There are several options in this category, but typically, homicide detectives and homicide investigators receive some of the highest compensation. Homicide detectives investigate suspicious deaths, evaluate evidence, interview witnesses , and examine crime scenes. Homicide investigators work for district attorneys and assist in building cases to secure convictions and move forward with prosecution. Those who advance to homicide detective or investigator roles must have a strong understanding of laws, position themselves as experts in the field, and have the experience to command a high salary. Another investigative role known for offering a high salary is a financial crime investigator. Financial crime investigators assess suspicious activity and investigate fraud claims on behalf of financial institutions, insurance companies, and within financial agencies. These specialists examine data, identify suspects, and determine if claims hold up in court. More than a well-sharpened attention to detail, advanced positions in the field require a working knowledge of legal compliance and business procedures.
Private Sector and International Positions
Moving from public sector law enforcement roles to private security positions can often offer increased compensation. One such opportunity is working for private organizations. These companies often seek candidates who have experience, training, and more advanced skills than their peers in the public sector. The salary range for these positions can be anywhere from the upper $50,000s to mid $90,000s or even higher. Compensation is typically commensurate with job responsibilities and experience but salaries like this are not uncommon.
Companies like Walmart, known for its extensive in-house loss prevention, have a wide variety of roles outside of just loss prevention. These positions require solid investigative and analytical skills, writing and communication abilities, and business acumen. Many times the salary for a mid-level investigator is higher than a police detective. Examples of companies that pay above-average compensation include:
Not all private organizations pay a premium; government contractors and non-profit organizations that provide 24/7 services such as healthcare or emergency services may not offer significant increases over law enforcement salaries. The highlight of a similar role in the private sector may be the Monday through Friday schedule.
A relatively small percentage of law enforcement officers leave U.S. law enforcement agencies every year to take roles with international employers. Many of these employers are foreign government agencies seeking U.S.-trained law enforcement personnel to assist with capacity building. Others include U.S. companies that operate facilities in high-risk overseas environments. These roles are limited due to the small size of the market, but the salaries can be superb. It is not uncommon to see annual salaries in the six-figure range for these jobs.
Compensation and Benefits within Law Enforcement
Benefits and perks which accompany most of the high paying law enforcement jobs we recently listed are additional aspects that greatly augment your base salary. A few benefits that most sworn law enforcement officers receive are stipends for uniforms and other attire needed to perform your duties.
Police officers, detectives and those who work as criminal investigators for federal law enforcement agencies often receive hazard pay in the form of salary augmentation. The augmentations for these law enforcement jobs can sometimes amount to thousands of dollars yearly.
Pension plans, health care and other ancillary benefits also add to your overall compensation package. Many municipal and county police departments offer pension plans that offer 10% -100% of your ending salary. Police and sheriff departments within the state and federal law enforcement agencies have more generous pension plans. Some of these law enforcement related pensions pay upwards of 2/3rds of your salary for the remainder of your life.
Health benefits sometimes come in the form of health care premiums paid by your employer. These health care premium provisions can add thousands of dollars yearly to your total compensation package. Overall, not only do most law enforcement jobs pay well, they also provide a substantial overall remuneration package.
Final Thoughts: A Career Path in Law Enforcement
As highlighted above, there are a number of lucrative careers in law enforcement today. As the economy becomes more competitive, the need for protection of businesses and assets grows. Those who have the necessary education and training can step into high paying positions in this lucrative and respected field.
To find out more about pursuing a lucrative career in law enforcement, it is best to visit with a local college or university offering a criminal justice program . Ask about their programs, tuition, scholarships, employment assistance and other details that will help you with a path to your new career.
In addition, you can visit with law enforcement officials that currently hold the types of positions that you would like to obtain to learn more about what is needed to work as and advance in these careers.
These actions will help you to find your path in law enforcement and your place in this high paying and satisfying career.