Police Employment Statistics: Which States Have the Most Police?

Key Statistics

• National police officer employment reached 666,990 in 2024, a slight increase from 665,280 in 2019.
• The District of Columbia has 70 officers per 10,000 residents—the highest rate in the nation—followed by Louisiana, New York, and Mississippi.
• Oklahoma saw the largest increase in police officers since 2019 (33% increase), while Maryland experienced the steepest decline (-27%).
• Police officers earn an average of $79,320 nationally, with California officers earning the most ($111,630, or 41% higher than the national average) and Mississippi officers earning the least ($45,450, or 43% less than the national average).
• Alaska police earn 42% more than the state's average worker—the highest wage premium in the country—while police in Georgia and Mississippi earn around 10% less than the average workers in their states.

While the total number of police officers in the U.S. has grown slightly in recent years, some areas are facing critical staffing shortages. In February 2024, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency due to officer shortages, citing a 47 percent increase in resignations since 2019 and 1,800 vacant positions for sheriff's deputies. Meanwhile, the Long Beach Police Department reported its worst staffing crisis in 25 years in April 2024, with over 100 job vacancies. These challenges affect both large urban departments and small-town forces, impacting public safety and security.

At SafeHome.org, we believe that proper law enforcement staffing is a key component of community and home safety. To that end, we explore data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on police officer employment levels and compensation. This report reveals significant variations that reflect each state's unique population dynamics, budget priorities, and public safety challenges.

Which States Have the Most Police Officers?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 666,990 police and sheriff’s officers in 2024, representing a marginal increase from 665,280 in 2019. While this 0.3 percent growth might suggest stability, it masks state-level changes and challenges in recruitment and retention that have dominated law enforcement discussions over the past five years.

States with lower officer-to-resident ratios aren't necessarily less safe—factors like crime rates, community policing strategies, and the use of civilian responders for non-emergency calls all play crucial roles. However, staffing declines can affect response times and the availability to help in emergencies and disasters.

Source: May 2019 and 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics࣪ ᐧ Note: Due to various factors, employment levels in each state may not sum to national totals.

When adjusting for population size, the following states have the most robust police presence:

1. District of Columbia (70.0 police officers per 10,000 residents) – As the nation's capital with unique security requirements and a relatively small resident population, D.C. maintains an exceptionally high officer-to-resident ratio.
2. Louisiana (30.8 per 10,000) – Despite its significant staffing growth, Louisiana continues to face severe challenges, with the governor declaring a state of emergency over vacancies in 2024.
3. New York (26.9 per 10,000) – Despite a very slight employment decline since 2019, New York maintains one of the nation's highest per-capita police presence. New York City also has the largest municipal police force.
4. Mississippi (25.6 per 10,000) – Maintains high staffing relative to population despite offering some of the lowest wages in the nation
5. South Carolina (25.0 per 10,000) – Has increased its force by 17 percent since 2019, in line with recent population growth

At the opposite end of the spectrum, these states had smaller police to population ratios:

1. Washington (10.9 police officers per 10,000 residents) – The state experienced a 12 percent decline in police employment since 2019
2. Oregon (11.7 per 10,000) – The state had a 10 percent reduction in the number of officers in the state despite having one of the highest property crime rates in the nation
3. Maine (14.2 per 10,000) – Employment of police officers has declined by nine percent since 2019, and crime rates are also declining

Police staffing has undergone notable shifts since 2019, driven by policy choices, demographic changes, and recruitment realities. States with the largest increases include Oklahoma (33 percent), Louisiana (26 percent), and Florida (24 percent), where rapid population growth has driven demand for law enforcement. South Carolina (17 percent) has also likely grown its force to keep up with its growing population.

Meanwhile, several states have seen substantial declines in the number of police and sheriffs’ officers. Maryland’s 27 percent reduction is the steepest drop nationwide, followed by New Hampshire. Washington has also struggled, and Seattle police hiring has not kept pace with the number of officers leaving the force. These shifts highlight how population trends influence staffing needs: Florida’s rapid growth has fueled its increase, while states like Maryland and Pennsylvania show declines that exceed demographic changes, pointing to deeper workforce issues.

Where Do Police Earn the Most Money?

Police officer compensation varies dramatically across the United States, with a national mean wage of $79,320 in 2024. This figure represents not just geographic cost-of-living differences but also how states value and prioritize law enforcement within their broader economic landscape.

The compensation data particularly matters for long-term sustainability. States offering below-average wages while facing high-stress environments may struggle to maintain experienced workforces. Officer turnover can also lead to the loss of institutional knowledge, community relationships, and investigative expertise that takes years to develop.

Source: May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Highest Police Wages by State

The states offering the most competitive police salaries reflect both high costs of living and strategic compensation to attract qualified officers:

1. California ($111,630) – Leads the nation by a substantial margin, with wages 41 percent above the national average for police officers
2. Alaska ($103,670) – Offers premium compensation 31 percent above the national average, likely reflecting difficult working and weather conditions
3. Washington ($101,590) – Washington police earn 28 percent more than the national average, perhaps to increase recruitment in light of recent hiring struggles
4. New Jersey ($93,290) – High cost of living drives compensation 18 percent above the national average
5. Hawaii ($92,030) – Island living costs necessitate wages 16 percent above the national average

Officers in several states earn substantially below the national average:

1. Mississippi ($45,450) – Officers earn 43 percent below the national average
2. Arkansas ($49,700) – Wages are 37 percent  below the national average
3. Louisiana ($52,840) – Despite a 26 percent increase in staffing, wages remain 33 percent  below the national average
4. West Virginia ($54,930) – Wages are 31 percent below the national average
5. Alabama ($55,330) – Officers earn 30 percent  below the national average

Some states with high crime rates and significant public safety challenges offer the lowest police compensation. Louisiana and Arkansas, for example, have higher-than-average violent crime rates, but pay their officers substantially below national averages. This combination of high violent crime rates and low compensation creates a challenging environment for recruitment and retention.

Understanding Today's Policing Landscape

The employment and wage data must be understood within the broader context of challenges facing law enforcement nationwide. According to American Police Beat Magazine, many young people express concerns about pay and potential danger, preferring jobs that offer remote work options. The profession faces a generational shift in how policing is perceived as a career path.

Departments sometimes attribute staffing shortages to the emotional strain of the job, lengthy hiring processes, and negative public sentiment. The hiring process itself can span months, creating delays. Police officers typically attend at least 20 weeks of basic training, meaning departments must invest months before new recruits become fully operational.

What This Means for Communities

As populations grow and shift geographically, departments in states like Florida will need to continue expanding, while those in states experiencing declines must determine whether their staffing levels reflect genuine need or recruitment issues.

At SafeHome.org, we believe informed communities are safer communities. Understanding these employment and compensation patterns helps residents engage more meaningfully in local public safety discussions and evaluate whether their communities are positioning themselves to attract and retain qualified law enforcement professionals.

Methodology

This analysis examined data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for 2024 and 2019, focusing on police and sheriff's patrol officers (SOC code 33-3051). Population-adjusted calculations used 2024 U.S. Census estimates. Wage comparisons reflect the mean annual wages as reported by the BLS.