What does a police officer do? Duties, requirements, pay and outlook
Police officers protect lives and property, and detectives gather facts and collect evidence of crimes. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, usually must be at least 21, and typically graduate from their agency's training academy before completing on-the-job training.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| O*NET-SOC code | 33-3051.00 (Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers) |
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent at minimum; some agencies require college coursework or a degree |
| Training | Moderate-term on-the-job training after the academy |
| Licensing | Set by each agency and jurisdiction |
| Median annual wage | $77,310 per year (May 2025, BLS) |
| Projected growth | 3 percent, 2025 to 2035 (as fast as average) |
| Number of jobs | 824,200 (2025) |
| Projected openings | About 60,100 per year, on average, over the decade |
What does a police officer do?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) lists these duties:
- Respond to emergency and nonemergency calls.
- Patrol assigned areas, observing people and activities.
- Conduct traffic stops and issue citations.
- Search restricted-access databases for vehicle or other records and warrants.
- Obtain and serve warrants for arrests, searches and other purposes.
- Arrest people suspected of committing crimes.
- Collect and secure evidence from crime scenes.
- Observe the activities of suspects.
- Write detailed reports and fill out forms.
- Prepare cases for legal proceedings and testify in court.
Work environment
Largest employers by share of jobs: Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals 96 percent; educational services; state, local, and private 3 percent. Most police and detectives work full time. Paid overtime is common, and shift work is necessary to protect the public at all times.
Education, training and licensing
- Education: Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some federal agencies and police departments may require college coursework or a degree, and a bachelor's degree may be required for promotion to lieutenant or higher.
- Academy and training: Candidates usually attend a training academy before becoming an officer. Most must graduate from their agency's academy before completing on-the-job training.
- Age and background: Candidates usually must be at least 21 years old. A felony conviction or drug use may disqualify a candidate, and candidates must meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
- Citizenship: Most states and local jurisdictions require U.S. citizenship, but some do not. Federal officers must be U.S. citizens.
- Cadets and federal agents: Cadet candidates are usually at least 18 with a driver's license and specific physical qualifications. FBI special agents need at least two years of full-time work experience, or one year plus an advanced degree.
Skills that matter
The OOH names communication skills, empathy, good judgment, leadership skills, perceptiveness, physical stamina and physical strength. O*NET lists the knowledge, skills and tasks for this occupation in its Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers summary.
How much do police and detectives make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $77,310 per year (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,160 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $121,600.
Median annual wage by industry, May 2025 (BLS):
| Industry | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $77,710 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $62,310 |
See the OOH pay tab and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for more detail. Our guide on how to research pay explains how to read these numbers.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 60,100 openings projected each year on average over the decade.
How to get hired
- Read the agency's requirements. Age, citizenship, education, vision and physical standards differ by agency, so start with the posting and the department's recruiting page.
- Prepare for the process. The OOH describes rigorous physical and personal qualifications and an academy. Keep your record and references clean and accurate.
- Present your strengths. Communication, judgment and empathy are named skills. Our resume sections recruiters read guide helps you structure examples.
- Search steadily. Because 96 percent work in government, check agency careers pages, then use find a job fast and search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
Correctional officers and bailiffs; EMTs and paramedics; Firefighters; Private detectives and investigators; Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists; Security guards and gambling surveillance officers.
Related guides on LiveRec: paralegals.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to be a police officer? Candidates usually must be at least 21 years old. Cadet candidates are usually at least 18.
Do police officers need a college degree? At least a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Some agencies require college coursework or a degree.
What disqualifies you from becoming a police officer? A felony conviction or drug use may disqualify a candidate, and candidates must meet physical and personal qualifications.
Do police officers have to be U.S. citizens? Most states and local jurisdictions require citizenship, but some do not. Federal officers must be U.S. citizens.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3051.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.