Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
First-line supervisors of police and detectives oversee and coordinate the work of law enforcement officers and investigators. Nationally, this occupation employs about 161,000 people, indicating a sizable field with many existing roles. The national median annual salary of $105,980 reflects substantial earning potential, with even higher pay in some states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of 2.9% and an estimated 11,000 annual openings suggest a continuing flow of opportunities from both new positions and turnover. Success in this career draws on leadership, problem solving and decision making, strong interpersonal abilities, and clear speaking, listening, and writing skills. Detail orientation, adaptability, and project management capabilities also support effective performance. For individuals interested in law enforcement leadership and supervision, this role offers a pathway that blends people management with critical and analytical thinking. Related career options include first-line supervisors of protective service workers, police and sheriff’s patrol officers, detectives and criminal investigators, healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners (all other), and transit and railroad police.
First-line supervisors of police and detectives have a national median annual salary of $105,980, showing strong earning potential at the U.S. level. Pay varies quite a bit by location. Among states highlighted, California stands out with a median salary of $163,960, while Washington offers $136,280, Colorado $126,810, New York $124,080, and Massachusetts $104,320. At the metro level, some areas report even higher pay. The San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA metro has a median salary of $175,840, and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA is close behind at $163,700. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro shows $135,270, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV offers $125,960, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH reports $108,190. These figures indicate that supervisors who are open to working in certain states or metros, particularly in select parts of California and New York, may access higher median salary levels than the national median.
Employment for first-line supervisors of police and detectives is projected to grow by 2.9%. With national employment of about 161,000 and approximately 11,000 annual openings, the occupation offers a steady stream of potential opportunities over time. The projected 2.9% growth rate is also reflected in several key states and metro areas, suggesting a consistent outlook across different regions listed. The combination of existing employment, projected growth, and annual openings indicates that job seekers may encounter both replacement openings as current supervisors leave or advance, and openings tied to modest expansion. For individuals planning a long-term career in law enforcement leadership, these numbers suggest a field that continues to need experienced supervisors. Considering similar roles—such as first-line supervisors of protective service workers (all other), police and sheriff’s patrol officers, detectives and criminal investigators, healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners (all other), and transit and railroad police—can provide additional avenues if local conditions or personal preferences point toward related paths.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for first-line supervisors of police and detectives. At the state level, California has the highest CareerGPS opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $163,960 and employment of 13,200. Massachusetts (score 65.87, salary $104,320, employment 5,540) and New York (score 65.78, salary $124,080, employment 12,750) also rank highly. Colorado and Washington both show opportunity scores in the mid-50s, with median salaries of $126,810 and $136,280, respectively, and employment just under 3,000 each. Looking at metros, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score at 77.42, with a median salary of $163,700. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro follows closely with a 77.27 score and 13,970 employed. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA offers the highest listed metro salary at $175,840 and an opportunity score of 68.75. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also provide notable combinations of employment levels, salaries, and mid-60s opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for first-line supervisors of police and detectives is a high school diploma or equivalent. While this formal education level is relatively accessible, the role itself calls for a well-developed set of skills. Leadership is central, as supervisors coordinate and guide the work of police and detectives. Strong problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, support sound judgment in complex situations. Interpersonal skills, plus effective speaking and listening, are important for working with both officers and the public. Writing and reading skills help with documentation and communication. Being detail oriented contributes to accuracy, and adaptability helps supervisors respond to changing conditions. Project management abilities support planning, organizing, and overseeing multiple tasks or initiatives. Individuals considering this career can focus on building these skills through work experience, training programs, and related roles such as police and sheriff’s patrol officers or detectives and criminal investigators as potential stepping stones.
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