Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Median annual salary
1,072,540 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn $11,710 more per year than Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals — that's 18.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $115,280 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,640 | $47,330 | +$310 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,980 | $57,800 | +$1,180 |
| Median (50th) | $76,290 | $64,580 | +$11,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,190 | $83,010 | +$14,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,280 | $104,670 | +$10,610 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,320 | $73,700 | +$5,620 |
Employment Numbers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
1,072,540
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $103,640 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $103,640 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $99,840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
What is the salary range for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
How many Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS