First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for first-line supervisors of police and detectives in the U.S. is $106,040 ($50.98 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $106,040
- Mean annual wage
- $112,190
- Median hourly wage
- $50.98
- Employment
- 154,610
154,610 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| 25th percentile | $81,860 | $39.35 |
| Median (50th) | $106,040 | $50.98 |
| 75th percentile | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| 90th percentile | $165,110 | $79.38 |
Highest-paying states for first-line supervisors of police and detectives
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $163,960 | 13,200 |
| New Jersey | $142,990 | 7,650 |
| Hawaii | $140,590 | 700 |
| Alaska | $137,320 | 320 |
| Washington | $136,280 | 2,750 |
| Illinois | $135,080 | 4,900 |
| District of Columbia | $134,760 | 1,230 |
| Nevada | $132,100 | 1,300 |
| Delaware | $131,080 | 410 |
| Colorado | $126,810 | 2,790 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $59,860 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $62,290 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $70,470 median annual wage
- South Carolina: $73,700 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $74,280 median annual wage
About this occupation
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Typical tasks
- Monitor and evaluate the job performance of subordinates, and authorize promotions and transfers.
- Review contents of written orders to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
- Train staff in proper police work procedures.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Discipline staff for violation of department rules and regulations.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.5% |
| Some college, no degree | 24.3% |
| Associate's degree | 12.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 34.8% |
| Master's degree | 12.3% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.7% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Security Guards$38,020
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$76,210
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$58,940
- Firefighters$59,280
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$33,580
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$93,790
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$93,530
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$38,100
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.