Who Earns What

How much does a police supervisor make?

US First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$106,040

a year · about $51 an hour

A typical police supervisor in the United States makes $106,040 a year, about $51 an hour, about 2.1× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

At roll call, a supervisor briefs officers on recent incidents and crime trends, then monitors the radio as they patrol and answer calls. They assign work, review reports, and keep the shift running smoothly.

Did you know? A U.S. police sergeant interviewed by BLS worked the midnight shift in four 10-hour shifts each week.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$106,040
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $63,350 and $165,110
46 of 100
not many

How do you become one?

In the United States, officers usually enter at 21 or older with at least a high-school diploma; some agencies require college. They pass screening, complete an academy and field training, work patrol, then compete for promotion, often by exam.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience and rank, the city or state, and the kind of agency can all change pay. Some departments add pay for night shifts, and the number of hours worked can also affect earnings.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in California ($163,960), lowest in Mississippi ($59,860).

See every state
Whole US$106,040
California$163,960
New Jersey$142,990
Hawaii$140,590
Washington$136,280
Illinois$135,080
Louisiana$70,470
Arkansas$62,290
Mississippi$59,860

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

Jobs like this

Next up

Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Police supervisor pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$63,350$106,040$165,110about 155,000
States where police supervisors earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
California$163,960about 13,000
New Jersey$142,990about 8,000
Hawaii$140,590about 700
Washington$136,280about 3,000
Illinois$135,080about 5,000

Official definition: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY