Law Enforcement Careers

The Comprehensive Guide to Law Enforcement Careers, Benefits and Salaries

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Law Enforcement Salary

Law Enforcement Officer Salaries and Pay Grades



Unlike salaries for similar private sector jobs, salaries for most federal civil service jos (inlcuding Law Enforcement) are set to the General Schedule or GS Pay Scale.  GS pay scale is applied to most white-collar federal and state workers.  Typically a college graduate with a Bachelor's degree can expect to start out in the GS 5 grade or approximately $35,000 per year.

As a federal or state employee one can expect to move up a pay grade per year as your seniority and training increases.  Salaries can also vary by cities/states and their corresponding cost of living.  TSA uses a banded pay system for employee salaries.  Pay Band A has a minimum of $17,083 / max $24,997 and Pay Band M is $120,236 and $155,500
as of 2010.


Outstanding Benefits - may include the following:

  • School loan loan / tuition assistance for ongoing education
  • Personal leave days for vacation
  • 13 days per year for first 3 years
  • 20 days per year for years 4-15
  • 26 days per year for years 15 or more
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • 13 paid sick days per year
  • A wide choice of health insurance programs
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Fully portable Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K) with matching contributions up to 5%
  • Non-taxable Flexible Spending Accounts for out-of-pocket medical or dependent care expenses
  • Paid training
  • Transportation subsidies
  • Employee recognition program
Additional State and Federal Career Resources:  Border Patrol Requirements     Agent Training     Correctional Nurse