Many police officers and sheriffs work overtime and holidays. Overtime wages can be significant, and total earnings often exceed the wages reported.
Wages vary by employer and area of the country. Wages also vary depending on the education and experience of the officer or sheriff.
Full-time police officers and sheriffs usually receive benefits. These typically include paid vacation, sick leave, and health and life insurance. Most departments also provide allowances for uniforms. In addition, most employers provide retirement plans. Many officers and sheriffs retire at half pay after 20 or 25 years of service.
Police and sheriff's patrol officers (SOC 33-3051)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $34.23 | $43.28 | $50.96 |
| Yearly | $71,190 | $90,024 | $106,012 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $29.11 | $36.44 | $41.63 |
| Yearly | $60,554 | $75,787 | $86,584 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $24.81 | $29.09 | $33.09 |
| Yearly | $51,621 | $60,503 | $68,821 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $43.28 | $43.28 | $50.96 |
| Yearly | $90,024 | $90,024 | $106,012 | |
| Decatur Area | Hourly | $32.88 | $41.40 | $47.21 |
| Yearly | $68,391 | $86,109 | $98,208 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $32.60 | $42.41 | $49.78 |
| Yearly | $67,797 | $88,218 | $103,539 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $31.32 | $37.71 | $39.97 |
| Yearly | $65,147 | $78,433 | $83,135 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $24.01 | $28.89 | $32.19 |
| Yearly | $49,932 | $60,085 | $66,950 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $24.06 | $30.85 | $37.84 |
| Yearly | $50,042 | $64,181 | $78,710 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $31.69 | $46.97 | $52.63 |
| Yearly | $65,919 | $97,708 | $109,471 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $38.95 | $48.37 | $51.22 |
| Yearly | $81,027 | $100,615 | $106,531 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $23.54 | $31.31 | $37.71 |
| Yearly | $48,964 | $65,129 | $78,444 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $24.88 | $30.65 | $36.42 |
| Yearly | $51,738 | $63,750 | $75,738 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $29.87 | $38.27 | $46.60 |
| Yearly | $62,131 | $79,588 | $96,928 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $24.56 | $30.64 | $38.05 |
| Yearly | $51,090 | $63,718 | $79,138 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $26.22 | $31.43 | $38.87 |
| Yearly | $54,546 | $65,364 | $80,863 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $30.52 | $36.86 | $40.05 |
| Yearly | $63,485 | $76,670 | $83,300 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $21.23 | $24.96 | $30.08 |
| Yearly | $44,154 | $51,915 | $62,570 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $23.90 | $37.44 | $43.85 |
| Yearly | $49,728 | $77,871 | $91,201 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $25.49 | $31.32 | $38.48 |
| Yearly | $53,021 | $65,145 | $80,058 | |
| Vermilion County | Hourly | $28.59 | $34.76 | $37.48 |
| Yearly | $59,450 | $72,300 | $77,971 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $36.44 | $49.09 | $49.86 |
| Yearly | $75,787 | $102,105 | $103,698 | |
| United States | Hourly | $24.14 | $31.63 | $40.64 |
| Yearly | $50,210 | $65,790 | $84,520 | |