How much does a transit police officer make?
Answer: A typical transit police officer in the United States makes $90,230 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 4,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Transit police officer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a transit police officer do?
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
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.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Protective Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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