Hiring a police officer: the market today
The short answer ·
671 open postings ask for a police officer as of Nov 11, 2026, from 306 employers. The median advertised pay is $79,810, taking the midpoint of each posted range. 226 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.
Who you're competing with
Open postings · Ayla, Nov 11, 2026
What it pays
Advertised pay (range midpoints), 551 postings with pay
Questions buyers ask
How hard is it to hire a police officer?
Hard. 306 employers are hiring the role right now, led by State of Georgia with 23 open postings.
What should I pay a police officer?
Advertised pay centers on $79,810. The middle half runs from $63,695 to $98,278.
Where is a police officer being hired?
As of Nov 11, 2026, the most open postings for the role are in California (177), Virginia (47) and Texas (37). Together they hold 39% of its 671 open postings.
Who can help me hire a police officer?
Ayla's recruiters, for government agencies and contractors. Send the role for a free market brief within two business days, then interview the people we find; you pay a placement fee when you hire.