Who Earns What

How much does a transit police officer make?

US Transit and Railroad Police
$90,230

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 know
This job$90,230
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $57,690 and $125,910
50 of 100
more than half

How 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
Whole US$90,230
California$109,650
New Jersey$106,290
Maryland$99,420
New York$90,460
Utah$87,770
Florida$69,810
Missouri$67,840
Georgia$57,690

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

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Transit police officer 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
$57,690$90,230$125,910about 4,000
States where transit police officers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
California$109,650about 100
New Jersey$106,290about 340
Maryland$99,420—
New York$90,460—
Utah$87,770about 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

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