Sheriff earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level sheriff earnings begin at:

$41.65 per hour

$86,630 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level sheriff earnings begin at:

$35.30 per hour

$73,430 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level sheriff earnings begin at:

$27.56 per hour

$57,320 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level sheriff earnings begin at:

$21.60 per hour

$44,930 per year

10th percentile

Starting level sheriff earnings begin at:

$18.34 per hour

$38,150 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Sheriff salary by state

State Name Average Salary
New Jersey $85,330
Alaska $84,830
Illinois $82,670
Washington $78,870
New York $78,750
Colorado $74,550
Hawaii $74,040
Oregon $71,670
District of Columbia $71,570
Connecticut $71,350
Minnesota $70,220
Delaware $68,460
Nevada $68,460
Massachusetts $68,030
Maryland $67,030
Pennsylvania $66,600
Arizona $65,220
Wisconsin $62,970
Texas $61,590
Ohio $60,980
Rhode Island $60,460
Iowa $58,500
Nebraska $58,100
Michigan $57,690
Florida $57,320
New Hampshire $56,880
North Dakota $56,760
Montana $55,710
Indiana $54,570
Wyoming $54,290
Virginia $53,570
Utah $52,550
Vermont $52,380
New Mexico $52,070
Idaho $51,060
Maine $49,860
Missouri $48,080
South Dakota $46,920
Kansas $46,170
North Carolina $46,160
Kentucky $44,820
Alabama $44,560
Tennessee $44,270
West Virginia $43,420
Oklahoma $43,070
Georgia $42,070
South Carolina $40,770
Louisiana $40,480
Arkansas $37,680
Mississippi $34,530
Puerto Rico $33,010
California $104,790

How do sheriff salaries compare to similar careers?

Sheriffs earn 7% less than similar careers in Florida. On average, they make less than special agents but more than forensic science technicians.

Career Median Salary
Special agent salary $64K
Detective salary $64K
Customs inspector salary $64K
Coroner salary $58K
Arbitrator salary $51K
Sheriff salary $57K
Police officer salary $57K
Legislator salary $41K
Paralegal salary $50K
Forensic science technician salary $52K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)