Data Scientists 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?
Data Scientists professionals earn $36,300 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 47.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $47,640 | +$16,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $58,980 | +$23,650 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $76,290 | +$36,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $97,190 | +$58,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $115,280 | +$79,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $79,320 | +$45,270 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,300 (47.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data 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 Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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