How much does a transit police officer make?
a year · about $43 an hour
A typical transit police officer in the United States makes $90,230 a year, about $43 an hour, about 1.8× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
An officer may patrol subway platforms, train cars, and rail yards, watching over passengers and checking access to restricted areas. They may respond to thefts or other incidents, remove trespassers, and write reports.
Did you know? A railroad officer commissioned in one state may have police authority in other places where the railroad owns property, to protect riders and workers.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $57,690 and $125,910How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school, meet state and employer requirements (often age 21+), then complete a police academy and field training. Many officers first serve in general patrol before moving into transit or rail policing.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience, required police training or credentials, the employer, and the region. Shift schedules and overtime can affect total earnings, and jobs with more responsibility may pay differently.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($109,650), lowest in Georgia ($57,690).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $57,690 | $90,230 | $125,910 | about 4,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $109,650 | about 100 |
| New Jersey | $106,290 | about 340 |
| Maryland | $99,420 | — |
| New York | $90,460 | — |
| Utah | $87,770 | about 80 |
Official definition: Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
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
- www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3052.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=prelim&num=0&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-titl
- www.bls.gov/oes/2020/May/oes333052.htm
- mdsp.maryland.gov/firearms-permits-professional-licenses/professional-licenses/r
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY