Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications. PayThe median annual wage for police and detectives was $77,310 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 60,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for police and detectives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of police and detectives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for police and detectives was $77,310 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 60,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for police and detectives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of police and detectives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 60,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for police and detectives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of police and detectives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
Work Environment
Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Police and sheriff's patrol officers and transit and railroad police have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Working around the clock in shifts is common.
How to Become a Police Officer or Detective
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
Pay
The median annual wage for police and detectives was $77,310 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 60,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for police and detectives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of police and detectives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Police and sheriff's patrol officers and transit and railroad police have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Working around the clock in shifts is common.
How to Become a Police Officer or Detective
The education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
Pay
The median annual wage for police and detectives was $77,310 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 60,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for police and detectives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of police and detectives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for police and detectives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of police and detectives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about police and detectives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.