Financial Examiners 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?
Financial Examiners professionals earn $14,110 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 18.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Examiners earns $171,540 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Examiners$53,420 – $171,540
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$171,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Examiners | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $53,420 | $47,640 | +$5,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,800 | $58,980 | +$7,820 |
| Median (50th) | $90,400 | $76,290 | +$14,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,210 | $97,190 | +$30,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,540 | $115,280 | +$56,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,650 | $79,320 | +$24,330 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Examiners
62,830
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Examiners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $139,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $131,670 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,450 |
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: Financial Examiners or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Financial Examiners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,110 (18.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners salaries range from $53,420 (10th percentile) to $171,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,400.
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 Financial Examiners and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 62,830 Financial Examiners 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 Financial Examiners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Examiners has a median salary of $90,400 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