Computer Programmers 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?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $22,380 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 29.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $47,640 | +$4,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $58,980 | +$12,880 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $76,290 | +$22,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $97,190 | +$31,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $115,280 | +$46,810 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $79,320 | +$24,320 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
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: Computer Programmers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,380 (29.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
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 Computer Programmers and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers 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 Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 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