Best and worst states to be a police officer

WalletHub - WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States to Be a Police Officer in 2026, to help identify where this hazardous but rewarding career is the most worthwhile....
 

Best States for Police Officers	Worst States for Police Officers
1. California	42. Mississippi
2. Connecticut	43. Vermont
3. Illinois	44. Oregon
4. Maryland	45. West Virginia
5. District of Columbia	46. Alabama
6. Colorado	47. Louisiana
7. Minnesota	48. Arkansas
8. Washington	49. Nevada
9. Tennessee	50. Hawaii
10. Ohio	51. Alaska

 
Best vs. Worst

• The District of Columbia has the most police and sheriff’s patrol officers per 100,000 residents, which is 6.6 times more than in Washington, the fewest.
   
• Illinois has the highest median annual wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers (adjusted for cost of living), which is 2 times higher than in Mississippi, the lowest.
   
• Rhode Island has the fewest individuals killed by police per 1,000,000 residents, which is 14.9 times fewer than in New Mexico, the most.
   
• Maine has the fewest violent crimes per 1,000 residents, which is 10.1 times fewer than in the District of Columbia, the most.
   
• The District of Columbia has the highest state and local police-protection expenses per capita, which is 4.1 times higher than in Kentucky, the lowest.

To view the full report and your state’s rank