Computer User Support Specialists 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 $15,950 more per year than Computer User Support Specialists professionals — that's 26.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer User Support Specialists earns $98,010 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer User Support Specialists$38,780 – $98,010
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$38,780$115,280
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer User Support Specialists | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,780 | $47,640 | $-8,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,580 | $58,980 | $-11,400 |
| Median (50th) | $60,340 | $76,290 | $-15,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,010 | $97,190 | $-20,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,010 | $115,280 | $-17,270 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,990 | $79,320 | $-14,330 |
Employment Numbers
Computer User Support Specialists
697,210
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,750 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 |
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 User Support Specialists or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,950 (26.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer User Support Specialists salaries range from $38,780 (10th percentile) to $98,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,340.
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 User Support Specialists and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,210 Computer User Support Specialists 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 User Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer User Support Specialists has a median salary of $60,340 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