Civil Engineers 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?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $23,300 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 30.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $47,640 | +$18,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $58,980 | +$19,810 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $76,290 | +$23,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $97,190 | +$31,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $115,280 | +$45,710 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $79,320 | +$27,730 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,300 (30.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers 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 Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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