Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn $6,030 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 7.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $115,280 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$47,640$141,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,640 | $58,370 | $-10,730 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,980 | $65,920 | $-6,940 |
| Median (50th) | $76,290 | $82,320 | $-6,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,190 | $114,040 | $-16,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,280 | $141,870 | $-26,590 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,320 | $91,820 | $-12,500 |
Employment Numbers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
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 Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers or Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,030 (7.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police to Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers has a median salary of $76,290 while Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. 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