Police officer pay in Washington, DC
Police officers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $84,000 a year. The middle half earn $71,910 to $98,540, and the top 10% earn more than $119,240. About 14,630 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, SOC 33-3051).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $63,530 |
| 25th percentile | $71,910 |
| Median (typical) | $84,000 |
| 75th percentile | $98,540 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $119,240 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 17 of 50 large metros for police officers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $84,000, a single filer keeps about $63,800 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $58,500 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 38 of 50 large metros for police officers after cost of living.
Where police officers’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$136,140 typical · worth $86.9k
- San Francisco, CA$132,000 typical · worth $80.8k
- Seattle, WA$115,120 typical · worth $80.8k
- Columbus, OH$100,890 typical · worth $78.8k
All 50 metros for police officers →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among police officers in Washington. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a police officer make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) police officer in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $84,000 a year. The middle half earn between $71,910 and $98,540, and the top 10% earn more than $119,240. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a police officer in Washington?
Anything above $84,000 pays more than half of police officers in Washington. $98,540 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $119,240 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a police officer in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $84,000, a single filer keeps about $63,800 a year ($5,310 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $58,500 would in a typical US city.
Where do police officers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical police officer pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA. Washington, DC ranks No. 38.
More: Police officer pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.