Child, Family, and School Social Workers 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?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn $17,720 more per year than Child, Family, and School Social Workers professionals — that's 30.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns $94,030 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$40,580 – $94,030
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$40,580$115,280
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,580 | $47,640 | $-7,060 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,480 | $58,980 | $-11,500 |
| Median (50th) | $58,570 | $76,290 | $-17,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,060 | $97,190 | $-23,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,030 | $115,280 | $-21,250 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,920 | $79,320 | $-16,400 |
Employment Numbers
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
382,960
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Child, Family, and School Social Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $80,280 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,700 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $76,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,780 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $74,530 |
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: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,720 (30.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Child, Family, and School Social Workers salaries range from $40,580 (10th percentile) to $94,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $58,570.
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 Child, Family, and School Social Workers and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 382,960 Child, Family, and School Social Workers 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 Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Child, Family, and School Social Workers has a median salary of $58,570 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