Best & Worst States to Be a Police Officer

from Wallet Hub, May 4, 2026

With National Police Week starting on May 10 and the median annual salary for a police officer reaching over $77,000, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States to Be a Police Officer in 2026, to help identify where this hazardous but rewarding career is the most worthwhile. 

Law enforcement is a profession that is constantly in the public spotlight, whether for acts of heroism or instances of misconduct. Today, the nation’s roughly 800,000 law enforcement officers face even greater scrutiny amid several high-profile police brutality cases. In response, the Justice Department and some local police departments have implemented policy changes, such as banning chokeholds and restricting the use of no-knock warrants in certain situations.

While some officers have failed to uphold their responsibilities, many others risk their lives every day to protect the public. Policing is significantly more dangerous than many other occupations, which makes it important for agencies to provide strong incentives to attract and retain qualified officers. Currently, the profession offers a mean annual wage of about $77,270, along with a benefits package that often include retirement-contribution matches, tuition assistance, generous leave policies, take-home vehicles and access to health and fitness facilities.

Compensation and working conditions, however, vary widely by location. Officers are more likely to be drawn to departments that maintain transparency with their communities and avoid issues related to scandal or corruption.

To identify the best states for pursuing a career in law enforcement, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 30 key indicators of police-friendliness. These metrics range from the median income for law-enforcement officers to police deaths per 1,000 officers and state and local spending on police protection per capita.

Best vs. Worst

• The District of Columbia has the most police and sheriff’s patrol officers per 100,000 residents, which is 6.6 times more than in Washington, the fewest.
• Illinois has the highest median annual wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers (adjusted for cost of living), which is 2 times higher than in Mississippi, the lowest.
• Rhode Island has the fewest individuals killed by police per 1,000,000 residents, which is 14.9 times fewer than in New Mexico, the most.
• Maine has the fewest violent crimes per 1,000 residents, which is 10.1 times fewer than in the District of Columbia, the most.
• The District of Columbia has the highest state and local police-protection expenses per capita, which is 4.1 times higher than in Kentucky, the lowest.

LINK: Full report
VIDEO: WalletHub commentary.