Real Salary Index

Best states for police and sheriff patrol officers

The best states for police and sheriff patrol officers start with the national median wage of $77,020. Once federal tax, state income tax and local housing costs are applied, that salary is worth $189,925 in Puerto Rico and only $72,513 in California.

WeakestStrongest
100.0
Excellent
Puerto Rico — top ranked

After-tax income $88,452 · cost index 0.47

National median wage

$77,020

Best state

Puerto Rico

Weakest state

California

Real pay spread

$117,412

Federal effective rate

13.3%

States compared

52

Ranked

Real purchasing power for police and sheriff patrol officers, by state

Median wage after federal and state income tax, divided by a local cost-of-living index built from rent and home values.

  1. 1
    Puerto Rico0.0% state tax$189,925
  2. 2
    South Dakota0.0% state tax$99,849
  3. 3
    Arkansas3.9% state tax$97,164
  4. 4
    North Dakota1.9% state tax$97,193
  5. 5
    Louisiana3.0% state tax$96,806
  6. 6
    Iowa3.8% state tax$96,367
  7. 7
    Tennessee0.0% state tax$96,280
  8. 8
    Mississippi4.7% state tax$96,207
  9. 9
    Wyoming0.0% state tax$95,427
  10. 10
    Oklahoma4.8% state tax$95,174
  11. 11
    Alabama4.7% state tax$94,181
  12. 12
    Kentucky4.0% state tax$93,578
  13. 13
    West Virginia4.8% state tax$93,335
  14. 14
    Nebraska5.2% state tax$92,277
  15. 15
    Missouri4.8% state tax$92,001
  16. 16
    Kansas5.6% state tax$91,882
  17. 17
    Ohio3.5% state tax$91,491
  18. 18
    Indiana3.0% state tax$91,439
  19. 19
    Texas0.0% state tax$91,134
  20. 20
    New Mexico4.9% state tax$90,499
  21. 21
    North Carolina4.5% state tax$88,903
  22. 22
    Nevada0.0% state tax$88,471
  23. 23
    Wisconsin5.3% state tax$88,254
  24. 24
    Michigan4.3% state tax$87,421
  25. 25
    Pennsylvania3.1% state tax$87,442
  26. 26
    South Carolina6.4% state tax$87,381
  27. 27
    Montana5.9% state tax$87,094
  28. 28
    Idaho5.8% state tax$86,426
  29. 29
    Alaska0.0% state tax$86,414
  30. 30
    Georgia5.4% state tax$86,144
  31. 31
    Florida0.0% state tax$85,532
  32. 32
    Arizona2.5% state tax$85,323
  33. 33
    New Hampshire0.0% state tax$84,916
  34. 34
    Utah4.5% state tax$84,771
  35. 35
    Maine7.2% state tax$83,620
  36. 36
    Illinois5.0% state tax$83,434
  37. 37
    Vermont6.6% state tax$83,419
  38. 38
    Delaware5.5% state tax$82,946
  39. 39
    Washington0.0% state tax$82,656
  40. 40
    Virginia5.0% state tax$82,438
  41. 41
    Minnesota7.0% state tax$82,392
  42. 42
    Rhode Island4.8% state tax$81,740
  43. 43
    Colorado4.4% state tax$81,474
  44. 44
    Connecticut5.5% state tax$79,952
  45. 45
    Maryland5.3% state tax$79,167
  46. 46
    Massachusetts5.0% state tax$78,811
  47. 47
    Oregon8.8% state tax$76,935
  48. 48
    New York6.0% state tax$76,285
  49. 49
    New Jersey5.5% state tax$76,106
  50. 50
    District of Columbia7.0% state tax$73,982
  51. 51
    Hawaii7.9% state tax$73,113
  52. 52
    California8.0% state tax$72,513

Wages are national medians: this shows where the same salary goes furthest, not where employers pay more.

How the Real Salary Index works

We start from the BLS national median wage, subtract an effective federal income tax estimate and the state's income tax rate, then divide the result by a cost-of-living index built from state median gross rent and median home value against the national average.

The output is the salary's real purchasing power, and the 0–100 RSI score simply ranks every state between the weakest and strongest result for that occupation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (national median annual wages, May 2024); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (state cost-of-living proxy); State income tax parameters, 2026 tax year.

Other occupations

Accountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsAccountants and AuditorsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Systems AnalystsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsDental HygienistsElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElectriciansElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersElementary School TeachersFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFamily Medicine PhysiciansFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersFast Food and Counter WorkersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersGeneral and Operations ManagersHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRegistered NursesRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsRetail SalespersonsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware DevelopersSoftware Developers