Law Enforcement Careers in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s violent crime rate has been on a downward trend for the better part of a decade, according to FBI data. Between 2018 and 2019, violent crime remained fairly consistent, with the state reporting about 39,000 incidents in both years. Pockets of violence remain, however, leaving plenty of challenges for law enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

If you are planning on joining their ranks, you had better bring your A-game to the table. The police forces listed below aren’t interested in second best.

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Jobs with the Pennsylvania State Police

Since its inception in 1905 as the first uniformed police organization of its type, Pennsylvania state troopers have been protecting travelers on the highways of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Police currently has 4,719 sworn troopers. In addition to enforcing traffic laws and stopping drunk drivers, State Police troopers are trained to identify potential smugglers and terrorists who may be crossing through Pennsylvania.

The I-95 corridor is an avenue for drug smuggling throughout the Northeast. Pennsylvania State Police troopers frequently intercept shipments of drugs and cash from Miami that are destined for New York and other cities. The Pennsylvania State Police also offers high tech assistance to other law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth.

Applicants for positions with the Pennsylvania State Police start out as cadets. Those seeking jobs as state troopers in Pennsylvania must be 21-39 years old on the date they are appointed. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED plus an associate degree of at least 60 semester credit hours. This can be waived in some cases, such as for individuals who have worked for two years as a police officer or in the military. Potential candidates for the Pennsylvania State Police must apply on-line.

Jobs with Sheriff’s Departments in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sheriff deputies do not exercise traditional law enforcement powers and are not directly equivalent to municipal officers in the state in most ways. They often receive the same training as other police, but they have no investigative powers and few powers of arrest. For the most part, they provide civil and courtroom security functions and do not engage in patrol or investigations work.

Allegheny County

Located in Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office has Civil, Courts, and Investigative divisions that handle everything from warrant service to prisoner hospital security to criminal fugitive apprehension.

Delaware County

The Sheriff’s Office of Delaware County is staffed with around 70 deputies. Candidates for a job as a deputy sheriff in Delaware County should contact the Office of Workforce Development.

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Philadelphia County

Deputy sheriffs of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office provide protection in court buildings and hunt fugitives. Applicants for deputy positions with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office must be 19-49 years old at the time of their appointment. A high school diploma or GED is required.

Jobs with Municipal Police Departments in Pennsylvania

Residents of Pennsylvania have a number of options to explore for positions as police officers in the municipal regions of the state.

Allentown

The crime rate for Allentown is higher than for many other cities of its size in the U.S, and higher than more than 90 percent of other Pennsylvania cities. Fighting this trend are the members of the Allentown Police Department. Applicants for police officer jobs here must be 21 years old when appointed and possess a high school diploma or GED.

Erie

There are high rates of both violent and property crimes in Erie. The Erie Police Department currently employs 173 active police officers. Police officers in Erie must be 21-65 years old, have a high school diploma or a GED. By the time of hiring, applicants must be Act 120 certified.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia has one of the highest crime rates of any city in the U.S., and to combat this, it has the sixth largest police department in the country with over 6,600 sworn members. Anyone interested in becoming a police officer in Philadelphia must first submit an on-line pre-application form. They will then have to pass a written exam and a test of physical agility before being considered.

Pittsburgh

The crime rate in Pittsburgh was higher than other cities of a similar size in the U.S. for 2018 according to FBI data. Law enforcement officials in this city are members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, which has approximately 900 sworn officers. To apply for a job as a police officer in Pittsburgh, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have 30 semester or 45 quarter credits of completed coursework at a college, technical, or trade school.

Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Pennsylvania law enforcement officers earned an average salary of $74,270 as of May 2021.

The following police/sheriff’s department salary data was sourced from May 2021 BLS stats (early career = 25th percentile, senior/late career = 90th percentile).

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Police Officer Salaries

Pennsylvania’s metropolitan areas have a well-deserved reputation for gritty, personal policing services, and the salaries offered reflect the hard work required in such positions. Allentown tops out police salaries for the state, just barely beating out Philadelphia in rates for senior positions.

Allentown Police Department

  • Entry – $60,670
  • Mid-Level – $76,880

Philadelphia

  • Entry – $65,440
  • Senior – $105,540

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

  • Entry – $51,410
  • Senior – $104,810

Reading

  • Entry – $50,880
  • Senior – $101,730

Sheriff’s Deputy Salaries

Pennsylvania’s sheriff’s deputies can make surprisingly good salaries considering their unconventional role in the law enforcement community.

Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office

  • Entry – $51,410
  • Senior – $104,810

Montgomery County

  • Entry – $65,440
  • Senior – $105,540

State Trooper and State Police Salaries

The Pennsylvania State Police is one of the highest paying agencies in the state, with even mid-level salaries verging over six figures. That’s a particularly substantial amount of compensation for those stationed in more rural areas with a lower cost-of-living.

Pennsylvania State Police

  • Entry – $60,670
  • Senior – $102,880

2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for police and sheriff’s patrol officers. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2022.

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