According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for Police Officers is $70,750 per year, while Probation Officers earn an average of $63,290 per year. As a result, Probation Officers earn a lower salary than Police Officers.
However, it's important to keep in mind that the salary of an employee can be influenced by factors such as location and experience. In particular, Probation Officers working in California (with a salary of $94,650 on average) may earn more than those in Mississippi ($37,960).
Police Officers vs Probation Officers overview
Police Officers and Probation Officers are essential to the Federal, State, and Local Government industry. Many people are interested in understanding the differences between these jobs, as well as the average salaries for each.
Police Officer job description
Alternative names: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Police Officers maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Police Officer education and experience
Among Police Officers, 40% hold a High School Diploma, 21% hold a Post-Secondary Certificate, and 17% have an Associate's Degree. With regard to experience, about a half of Police Officer occupations do not require any previous experience. A smaller number of roles (23%) require a previous experience of 6 months to 1 year.
Police Officer average salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 665,380 Police Officers employed in the United States in 2021, and they earned an average annual income of $70,750. The bottom 10 percent earned $40,190 or less, and the top 10 percent earned $102,530 or more. Compared to the previous year, the mean salary has gone up by 1.1%.
Do Police Officers make good money?
The mean salary of Police Officers is 21% above the average salary in the United States ($58,260). However, they make 4% more than the mean earnings of the Federal, State, and Local Government industry ($67,800).
The mean salary of Police Officers is 21% above the average salary in the United States ($58,260).
Police Officers job growth
In 2021, there have been 10,480 more Police Officer roles than the previous year across the nation, and that marks a growth of 1.6%. Job growth has averaged 0.2% over the past 3 years.
Probation Officer job description
Alternative names: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Probation Officers provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Probation Officer education and experience
Becoming a Probation Officer typically involves completing a Bachelor's Degree. However, among employees in this occupation, there are also some with an Associate's Degree (5%). In terms of experience, about a third of Probation Officer jobs require a 2 to 4 years of experience in the field. A smaller percentage of jobs (28%) require a previous experience of 1 to 2 years.
Probation Officer average salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States had a workforce of 92,140 Probation Officers in 2021 and they earned a mean annual income of $63,290. The lowest earning 10 percent made $37,380 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $99,090 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the average salary is up by 2.2%.
Do Probation Officers make good money?
The average salary of Probation Officers is 9% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260). In contrast, they earn 7% less than the average wage of the Federal, State, and Local Government industry ($67,800).
The average salary of Probation Officers is 9% higher than the average wage in the United States ($58,260).
Probation Officers job growth
There has been an increase in the employment of Probation Officers in the last two years. In 2021, there have been 2,070 more positions than the previous year nationwide, which marks a rise of 2.3%. Over the past 3 years, job growth has averaged 1.7%.
FAQ
Do Police Officers or Probation Officers make more?
Police Officers earn 12% more than Probation Officers. Probation Officers average around $63,290 per year, while Police Officers make $70,750 per year.
How long does it take to become a Police Officer vs Probation Officer?
Becoming a Police Officer generally only requires a High School Diploma. While on the other hand, becoming a Probation Officer generally requires a Bachelor's Degree. It most often takes around 4 years to obtain a Bachelor's Degree.
Is it harder to become a Police Officer vs Probation Officer?
Becoming a Probation Officer is harder than becoming a Police Officer, as it takes 4 more years of education.