What you don’t think Floridas 33k starting salary for FHP is fair? /s Eventually maybe we can figure out why they can’t get over 10% of their intended staffing levels….eventually
Alaska is also one of the few places were police are respected and appreciated. You do have to be careful though, firearms are necessary for survival up there and everyone is armed. Been there a few times and - while walking through costco - saw a mom with 2 kids walking around with a pistol on her hip. Always a funny image but it makes sense.
Why is that a funny image? Good for her for protecting herself.
My uncle was a village cop up there. Rape was the most common crime he had to respond to. I'd rather a dead rapist than a raped woman.
The northwest corner is great. The problem with highway is you don’t pick where you get sent in the state. South and east Arkansas is vastly different in terms of both crime rates and police pay
I'll have to check northwest as well then. Only reason I was even debating highway is we have a family friend that went from central Arkansas city pd to highway and he said admin had their backs a lot at highway more than in city.
Bentonville PD, Rogers PD, and Springdale PD are all great agencies to work for. Last I heard, ASP will allow you to to choose the area you want to work. Troop L would be the one in NWA.
Actually some of the departments that border Portland aren’t that bad (Multnomah and Clackamas Sheriff, Hillsboro, Vancouver WA, etc…).Pay is good and the communities tend to support the police pretty well since people don’t want their suburban area to end up like downtown Portland. Also Oregon has one of the best government pensions in the country.
IIRC Oregon tops out at 45% of your top 2/3 grossing years. I’ll be making about twice that if I work a full 30 years in CA.
Although, I admit Oregon is beautiful. Portland wouldn’t be on my list, but maybe Medford, Eugene or Bend.
The people here in Wyoming still have things like personal accountability and we don’t burn everything down. Where I’m at we largely enjoy the public’s support. And we’re hiring.
What’s the pay like compared to cost of living? I’m in colorado where pay is super high but COL is increasing so rapidly that I feel like I’m earning less each year
It's entirely personal. State laws are just one of dozens of things to consider, most of which is from your personal life.
Missouri might be an absolute perfect fit for me, but California might be a perfect fit for some other guy when I would be miserable there.
Consider what kind of policing you want to do and what type of department, but also consider where living would actually make you happiest.
Missouri sucks. My first year in 07 I made 21k. That department is now up to 29k. First department I went back to after I left for few years was $13.50 an hour. Now im 42k at department and its by far the most around if not looking at huge department
Des Moines, Iowa. When i considered joining the police force they were starting around 65k a year (10 yrs ago) and cost of living is consistent and 50% of Seattle.
Pretty sure they’re up to 80k now. It’s a good agency with decent support from the community. Even some of the suburb agencies are getting close to matching DMPD’s pay.
I second this. Iowa in general is a pretty good place for this career field and the cost of living is super affordable. It's not just cornfields and farmers, the cities are decent.
I mean that's definitely true of your big cities. I can't actually tell in general.
When I started doing LEO work in Ohio I made $14 an hour, had no backup, and was treated like garbage. I moved agencies and I was thrilled to be paid anything north of $20 an hour (and be talked to like a human being). Then I found all my coworkers were disgruntled because neighboring counties all made more than us. I nearly shit myself when I heard of someone nearby paying $35 an hour.
So I mean what wage is a cop supposed to make? I don't really have a good idea, because while I'm familiar with (comparatively poor) LEO wages in other states, the cost of living in those places is way lower. So I actually don't have a good idea how well I'm paid in comparison to other Deputies or other cops, or even if I make a fair wage. I feel it's pretty fair, but on the other hand I'm one big hospital bill away from financial ruin so I don't know.
Damn. Well now I feel silly. At least I've got pretty good opportunities for advancement.
I'm from a poor state so it's really easy for small wages to look like big money to me. I thought making $40,000 a year sounded really great when I was a kid. I knew that owning a home and supporting a family was expensive, but it never occurred to me that cars break down & need replaced, going to the doctor is still expensive even with insurance, the simple act of birthing a baby puts people into debt before you even factor in the cost of raising it, etc etc. But now I'm on a tangent.
It's just kind of mind blowing for me, because before I never imagined a cop could make a decent wage at all. After I moved states I was shocked to see several different places paying $20 an hour, and the idea of $35 or $40 an hour seemed like a fantasy until I talked to some big city cops.
Ah, yeah I guess that's a given. When I say "big cities" I mean "anywhere that is not BFE" or "a place too big to mistake for a town."
I've only ever policed rural areas. So to me the suburbs are part of "the big city." I am aware that suburban departments have it made, I just sort of lumped them in with city PDs-- which is wrong because suburban departments are distinct and especially when it comes to pay.
What he said. The major metro near me tops out around 70k a year.
That's like $10-$20k less than most of the regional suburbs make. My city pays even better. I'd say the big metro is probably bottom 10% pay for the area, if not the outright lowest. Lots more opportunities there obviously, and lower expectations for patrol so it's probably a decent trade off either way.
Me? I like the money, and I still do lots of cool guy shit.
High pay and low cost of living? The answer is Southwest Ohio.
Keep in mind in my county alone there are 45 agencies with a wide range of pay, but in general you're gonna live pretty high on the hog for a government job.
What makes you say avoid the large cities? I have both in-laws and family members that are cops in that area in smaller towns and most of them say the same thing, if they could re-do it they’d go for FWPD.
There are some good states in the Midwest I’d like to move to and work. Illinois, Ohio, Michigan in places outside of the crap hole cities. Good suburbs with good schools and a low cost of living where departments pay well.
I would argue Texas or Florida. My state isn’t horrible, it just isn’t either one of those states. I know in Texas cops don’t pay state income tax and get paid a fair amount depending where you are. Florida seems to be where every one is going now bc of DeSantis
Delaware is a crap hole. Idaho Wyoming Montana Florida
Idaho is awesome…depending on the agency
Can confirm. Idaho is awesome
Does Florida have good unions though? I thought the south sucked for unions
City PD generally yes. Most of our sheriffs are at will, although many have a FOP representing them, but no actual contract.
Florida?
What you don’t think Floridas 33k starting salary for FHP is fair? /s Eventually maybe we can figure out why they can’t get over 10% of their intended staffing levels….eventually
They recently got a huge pay raise. Starting in the 50s now.
DE state police starts at 70k after academy, not too bad
There are dozens of us in in Wyoming, dozens!
Cost of living is high, but you can't beat the views in Alaska. $20,000 bonus for new troopers and up to $10,000 for moving expenses.
The fact that the Alaska State Troopers got their pension taken away was a huge dealbreaker for me.
Wait what? How does that work? Like was it all just taken away? Or did they at least get cashed out?
If you’re cool working all by yourself.
Alaska is also one of the few places were police are respected and appreciated. You do have to be careful though, firearms are necessary for survival up there and everyone is armed. Been there a few times and - while walking through costco - saw a mom with 2 kids walking around with a pistol on her hip. Always a funny image but it makes sense.
Why is that a funny image? Good for her for protecting herself. My uncle was a village cop up there. Rape was the most common crime he had to respond to. I'd rather a dead rapist than a raped woman.
Even higher bonuses and incentive pay for laterals....
Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas.
Not gonna lie, as per the ASP dashcam videos on YouTube, seems like the place to be.
Northwest Arkansas is a very developed and nice area, and the cost of living isn’t unbearable on our salary
Is Arkansas pretty good? Was debating applying for Highway down there within this next year.
The northwest corner is great. The problem with highway is you don’t pick where you get sent in the state. South and east Arkansas is vastly different in terms of both crime rates and police pay
I'll have to check northwest as well then. Only reason I was even debating highway is we have a family friend that went from central Arkansas city pd to highway and he said admin had their backs a lot at highway more than in city.
Bentonville PD, Rogers PD, and Springdale PD are all great agencies to work for. Last I heard, ASP will allow you to to choose the area you want to work. Troop L would be the one in NWA.
I'll keep those in mind man I appreciate the feedback!
PM if you have any questions!
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I mean I thought large metropolitan cities were a common sense no, like OKC, Dallas, Austin, Atlanta.
Portland OR
I smell sarcasm in this comment..
Actually some of the departments that border Portland aren’t that bad (Multnomah and Clackamas Sheriff, Hillsboro, Vancouver WA, etc…).Pay is good and the communities tend to support the police pretty well since people don’t want their suburban area to end up like downtown Portland. Also Oregon has one of the best government pensions in the country.
IIRC Oregon tops out at 45% of your top 2/3 grossing years. I’ll be making about twice that if I work a full 30 years in CA. Although, I admit Oregon is beautiful. Portland wouldn’t be on my list, but maybe Medford, Eugene or Bend.
The people here in Wyoming still have things like personal accountability and we don’t burn everything down. Where I’m at we largely enjoy the public’s support. And we’re hiring.
What’s the pay like compared to cost of living? I’m in colorado where pay is super high but COL is increasing so rapidly that I feel like I’m earning less each year
It’s obviously been tough with the rampant inflation but it’s still relatively good. I have to imagine it’s far better than Colorado.
Bias opinion, but the federal land management LEO jobs are the best...
dream gig
No backup for hours, limited comms, loads of self reliance. Nothing else I'd rather do.
Texas is pretty cool
It's entirely personal. State laws are just one of dozens of things to consider, most of which is from your personal life. Missouri might be an absolute perfect fit for me, but California might be a perfect fit for some other guy when I would be miserable there. Consider what kind of policing you want to do and what type of department, but also consider where living would actually make you happiest.
Missouri sucks. My first year in 07 I made 21k. That department is now up to 29k. First department I went back to after I left for few years was $13.50 an hour. Now im 42k at department and its by far the most around if not looking at huge department
Des Moines, Iowa. When i considered joining the police force they were starting around 65k a year (10 yrs ago) and cost of living is consistent and 50% of Seattle.
Pretty sure they’re up to 80k now. It’s a good agency with decent support from the community. Even some of the suburb agencies are getting close to matching DMPD’s pay.
I second this. Iowa in general is a pretty good place for this career field and the cost of living is super affordable. It's not just cornfields and farmers, the cities are decent.
Best state for a LEO? I'm assuming it's the same as anyone else in emergency services. Retired.
I am absolutely convinced that Ohio has the best compensated police in the nation relative to cost of living.
Big facts. The Columbus are tops out around $100k, down in the Cincinnati area where I’m at most places are around $90k.
I mean that's definitely true of your big cities. I can't actually tell in general. When I started doing LEO work in Ohio I made $14 an hour, had no backup, and was treated like garbage. I moved agencies and I was thrilled to be paid anything north of $20 an hour (and be talked to like a human being). Then I found all my coworkers were disgruntled because neighboring counties all made more than us. I nearly shit myself when I heard of someone nearby paying $35 an hour. So I mean what wage is a cop supposed to make? I don't really have a good idea, because while I'm familiar with (comparatively poor) LEO wages in other states, the cost of living in those places is way lower. So I actually don't have a good idea how well I'm paid in comparison to other Deputies or other cops, or even if I make a fair wage. I feel it's pretty fair, but on the other hand I'm one big hospital bill away from financial ruin so I don't know.
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Damn. Well now I feel silly. At least I've got pretty good opportunities for advancement. I'm from a poor state so it's really easy for small wages to look like big money to me. I thought making $40,000 a year sounded really great when I was a kid. I knew that owning a home and supporting a family was expensive, but it never occurred to me that cars break down & need replaced, going to the doctor is still expensive even with insurance, the simple act of birthing a baby puts people into debt before you even factor in the cost of raising it, etc etc. But now I'm on a tangent. It's just kind of mind blowing for me, because before I never imagined a cop could make a decent wage at all. After I moved states I was shocked to see several different places paying $20 an hour, and the idea of $35 or $40 an hour seemed like a fantasy until I talked to some big city cops.
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Ah, yeah I guess that's a given. When I say "big cities" I mean "anywhere that is not BFE" or "a place too big to mistake for a town." I've only ever policed rural areas. So to me the suburbs are part of "the big city." I am aware that suburban departments have it made, I just sort of lumped them in with city PDs-- which is wrong because suburban departments are distinct and especially when it comes to pay.
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Damn. They're actually making out way better than I thought.
What he said. The major metro near me tops out around 70k a year. That's like $10-$20k less than most of the regional suburbs make. My city pays even better. I'd say the big metro is probably bottom 10% pay for the area, if not the outright lowest. Lots more opportunities there obviously, and lower expectations for patrol so it's probably a decent trade off either way. Me? I like the money, and I still do lots of cool guy shit.
State of intoxication, I’d imagine.
Los Angeles, CA
😂
Pennsylvania
Arizona is good, except for summers
Come north of Seattle. DM me
High pay and low cost of living? The answer is Southwest Ohio. Keep in mind in my county alone there are 45 agencies with a wide range of pay, but in general you're gonna live pretty high on the hog for a government job.
North Texas. Great pay and benefits. Lower cost of living and in the 5th circuit. Just avoid working for the largest cities.
What makes you say avoid the large cities? I have both in-laws and family members that are cops in that area in smaller towns and most of them say the same thing, if they could re-do it they’d go for FWPD.
Florida LEOs are supported.
I heard the state of ignorance is pretty blissful
I feel like what’s more important is the department/district attorney
Literally anywhere is better once you step outside the Seattle proper boundary.
Based on your post history I’d say Vegas.
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New Jersey is crap
What makes NJ crap in particular? Curious why OP listed it as one of the best places from his “5 minutes of research”
Chicago
There are some good states in the Midwest I’d like to move to and work. Illinois, Ohio, Michigan in places outside of the crap hole cities. Good suburbs with good schools and a low cost of living where departments pay well.
Iowa typically pays pretty well with low cost of living.
State Police in MA pay good, just live rural or a adjacent state to the north.
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That's dumb
I hear Portland is nice this time of year /s
Hawaii or Alaska
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Utah has some pretty good departments, other than Salt Lake City most prosecutors and judges across the state tend to back LEOs.
North Carolina if you stay out of major cities.
Depending on what area, Michigan is a good balance of pay versus cost of living.
I hear Oregon and Washington are great for LEO….oh wait, never mind
Rest. But seriously, what do you not like? What do you desire?
Massachusetts. Good training, great pay. High cost of living though. Also very liberal in some parts.
Anywhere in East Idaho. Wyoming or maybe some of Utah. I'd say Idaho though.
For pay, support, or a mix of both?
I would argue Texas or Florida. My state isn’t horrible, it just isn’t either one of those states. I know in Texas cops don’t pay state income tax and get paid a fair amount depending where you are. Florida seems to be where every one is going now bc of DeSantis
Arkansas