SalaryByCity

Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

$140,910

Median annual salary

38,480 employed nationally

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$76,290

Median annual salary

666,990 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn $64,620 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 84.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $232,120 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$232,120

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer and Information Research ScientistsPolice and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersDifference
10th Percentile$80,670$47,640+$33,030
25th Percentile$102,710$58,980+$43,730
Median (50th)$140,910$76,290+$64,620
75th Percentile$181,210$97,190+$84,020
90th Percentile$232,120$115,280+$116,840
Mean (Average)$152,310$79,320+$72,990

Employment Numbers

Computer and Information Research Scientists

38,480

employed nationwide

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

666,990

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer and Information Research Scientists

CityMedian
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$232,120
Richmond, VA$231,930
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$191,880
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$169,510
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$168,820

Best Cities for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

CityMedian
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 and Information Research Scientists or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $64,620 (84.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries range from $80,670 (10th percentile) to $232,120 (90th percentile), with a median of $140,910.
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 and Information Research Scientists and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists 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 and Information Research Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer and Information Research Scientists has a median salary of $140,910 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