How much does a Law Enforcement make in the United States?
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The average Law Enforcement salary in the United States is $157,435 as of August 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Law Enforcement positions (listed below) typically falls between $36,716 and $278,155. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Law Enforcement's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Security Guard Team Leader | $69,673 | $33.50 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Security Manager | $122,711 | $59.00 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| VP of Security | $242,431 | $116.55 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Property and Evidence Clerk | $52,288 | $25.14 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Emergency Response Planning Specialist | $114,170 | $54.89 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Fire Fighter I | $57,418 | $27.60 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Security Guard - Armed | $52,356 | $25.17 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Security Guard - Unarmed | $41,023 | $19.72 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Code Enforcement Officer | $57,287 | $27.54 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Criminal Investigator | $74,870 | $36.00 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
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Supervises a team of security guards that ensure the physical safety of all visitors, employees, or customers to the organization's facilities and the security of property and assets. Schedules security guard staff shifts. Assigns guards to patrol and inspect of buildings and grounds. Ensures protection from intruders, fire hazards, theft, and vandalism. Monitors security systems and responds to alarms, reports of issues, or requests for assistance. Ensures that all security events are logged, documented, and reported using standard procedures. Trains staff on policies and procedures for crisis response, disaster recovery, evacuation, workplace violence, and other emergency events. Updates team on local, state, provincial, or federal security-related information, directives, and events. Assists with investigations and critical event responses in coordination with law enforcement and other officials. Understands law enforcement methods, tactics, and procedures. Requires a high school diploma. Requires Basic Life Support (BLS). Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision. View Security Guard Team Leader SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Security Patrol Supervisor, Security Guard Team Leader
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Implements security strategy, policies, and standards to ensure the physical safety of all visitors, employees, or customers to the organization's facilities and the security of property and assets. Conducts regular audits and inspections to assess, identify, and mitigate any security vulnerabilities or gaps. Trains staff and establishes operational plans for crisis response, disaster recovery, evacuation, workplace violence, and other emergency events. Monitors and inspects systems, alarms, and other physical security measures. Participates in education programs and contributes to communications on security policies and topics to ensure staff is adequately informed and equipped to manage potential security issues. Engages with local, state, provincial, or federal authorities to keep abreast with all security-related information, directives, and events. Initiates or assists with investigations and critical event responses in coordination with law enforcement and other officials or agencies. Understands law enforcement methods, tactics, and procedures. Requires a bachelor's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, security, or related discipline. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Security Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Corporate Safety & Security Manager, Security Manager
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Develops the overall security strategy, policies, and standards to ensure the physical safety of all visitors, employees, or customers to the organization's facilities and the security of property and assets. Establishes auditing and inspection protocols to assess, identify, and mitigate any security vulnerabilities or gaps. Plans and prepares for crisis response, disaster recovery, evacuation, workplace violence, and other emergency events. Assesses systems, alarms, and other physical security measures for effectiveness. Designs and delivers company education programs on security policies and topics to ensure staff is adequately informed and equipped to manage potential security issues. Participates in local, state, provincial, or federal working or advisory groups to keep abreast of all security-related information, directives, and events. Leads and directs major investigations and critical event responses in coordination with law enforcement and other officials or agencies. Possess broad and deep knowledge of law enforcement methods, tactics, and procedures. Requires a bachelor's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, security. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. View VP of Security SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Corporate Security Executive, Top Corporate Safety & Security Executive, Vice President of Corporate Security, VP of Corporate Security, VP of Security
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Receives, records, stores, and safeguards evidence collected from crime investigations. Prepares records of articles according to chain of custody procedures and maintains evidence database. Releases property or evidence being retained to designated party for court presentation or other disposition. Maintains storage facility and coordinates proper disposal of sensitive materials including narcotics, bio-hazardous materials, firearms, and explosives. Typically requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. View Property and Evidence Clerk SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Law Enforcement Property and Evidence Clerk, Police Property Specialist, Property/Evidence Technician, Property and Evidence Clerk
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Develops and implements the planning, preparation, and staff training for response to emergencies. Documents procedures for response actions and ensures staff is prepared and trained to respond to emergency events. Coordinates with leadership, security, and community authorities to maintain up-to-date operational plans and equipment for emergency response. Organizes and participates in exercises or drills. Maintains a system to record and document procedures and incidents. May require a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Emergency Response Planning Specialist SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Emergency Preparedness Specialist, Emergency Response Planning Specialist
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Responsible for rapid response to fires, accidents, and other emergencies to protect people, property, and the environment. Works with firefighting teams to control and extinguish fires and safely manage hazardous materials. Performs search and rescue, responds to auto accidents, and provides emergency medical services. Uses and operates fire tools, equipment and apparatus as effectively and safely as possible. Performs routine maintenance and inspection of firefighting equipment and gear to ensure proper condition and preparedness for emergencies. Prepares post-incident reports as required. May participate in fire safety education and inspection activities. Typically is required to pass periodic physical ability tests. May require registry in NREMT. May require an associate degree in fire science. Requires Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. View Fire Fighter I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Firefighter/EMT I, Fire Fighter ICategory : Fire, Law Enforcement, and Security
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Provides security and guards buildings, grounds, materials, work sites, or other venues. Monitors security systems and responds to alarms, reports of issues, or requests for assistance. Patrols an assigned location. Follows required gate-keeping procedures such as verifying visitor credentials, conducting inspections, or preparing paperwork. May operate an access control or identity system to control building access. Completes shift activity logs and inputs to systems. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Requires Basic Life Support (BLS). Typically requires Firearms Certification. Requires Security Guard License. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience. View Security Guard - Armed SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Security Guard II, Security Senior Associate, Senior Security Patrol Specialist, Security Guard - Armed
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Provides security and guards buildings, grounds, materials, work sites, or other venues. Monitors security systems and responds to alarms, reports of issues, or requests for assistance. Patrols an assigned location. Follows required gate-keeping procedures such as verifying visitor credentials, conducting inspections, or preparing paperwork. May operate an access control or identity system to control building access. Completes shift activity logs and inputs to systems. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Requires Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. May require a Security Guard License. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. View Security Guard - Unarmed SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Security Associate, Security Guard I, Security Patrol Specialist, Security Guard - Unarmed
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Interprets and enforces local codes and ordinances. Inspects and investigates potential code violations concerning public welfare, safety, public nuisances, land zoning, new construction, and business licenses. Conducts inspections and investigates complaints reported by officials and/or citizens, and issues citations for violations. Documents findings and maintains files and records. May be required to testify in court for code violation cases. Requires an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. View Code Enforcement Officer SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Code Compliance Officer, Municipal Code Officer, Municipal Inspector, Code Enforcement OfficerCategory : Fire, Law Enforcement, and Security
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Conducts investigations of criminal cases. Analyzes collected data or evidence and prepares documentation for legal action. Conducts surveillance and interviews witnesses. Interfaces with various law enforcement agencies. Often requires prior experience working in or closely with law enforecement. May require a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Criminal Investigator SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Criminal Investigator/Specialist, Criminal Investigator