Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn $37,820 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 98.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $115,280 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$115,280
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,640 | $26,240 | +$21,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,980 | $31,310 | +$27,670 |
| Median (50th) | $76,290 | $38,470 | +$37,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,190 | $51,930 | +$45,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,280 | $63,460 | +$51,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,320 | $44,930 | +$34,390 |
Employment Numbers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,820 (98.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers has a median salary of $76,290 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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