Accountants and Auditors vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $5,390 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 7.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $47,640 | +$5,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $58,980 | +$5,680 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $76,290 | +$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $97,190 | +$9,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $115,280 | +$26,140 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $79,320 | +$14,200 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,390 (7.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS