Engineers, All Other 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?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $41,460 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 54.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Engineers, All Other earns $183,510 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Engineers, All Other | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,840 | $47,640 | +$15,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,750 | $58,980 | +$26,770 |
| Median (50th) | $117,750 | $76,290 | +$41,460 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,670 | $97,190 | +$55,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,510 | $115,280 | +$68,230 |
| Mean (Average) | $121,720 | $79,320 | +$42,400 |
Employment Numbers
Engineers, All Other
150,750
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
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: Engineers, All Other or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,460 (54.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
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 Engineers, All Other and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 150,750 Engineers, All Other 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 Engineers, All Other?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Engineers, All Other has a median salary of $117,750 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