SalaryByCity

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$49,670

Median annual salary

688,840 employed nationally

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$76,290

Median annual salary

666,990 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn $26,620 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 53.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.

Salary Range Comparison

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$33,660$115,280

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPolice and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersDifference
10th Percentile$33,660$47,640$-13,980
25th Percentile$38,140$58,980$-20,840
Median (50th)$49,670$76,290$-26,620
75th Percentile$65,660$97,190$-31,530
90th Percentile$80,850$115,280$-34,430
Mean (Average)$55,260$79,320$-24,060

Employment Numbers

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

688,840

employed nationwide

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

666,990

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$77,260
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$74,590
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$63,590
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$62,970

Best Cities for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

CityMedian
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: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,620 (53.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 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