Law Enforcement Careers

Deputy Sheriff Salary by State in 2026: Complete Pay Guide With Rankings, Benefits, and County Data

From Washington’s $80,369 average to Mississippi’s $34,240, deputy sheriff pay varies enormously by state, county size, and rank. Here is the definitive salary breakdown every current and aspiring deputy needs — plus what county administrators should know about compensation, retention, and equipping their force.

National Deputy Sheriff Salary Overview 2026

How much do deputy sheriffs make in 2026? The answer depends heavily on which data source you consult, because each aggregator uses a different methodology. ZipRecruiter, which draws from employer job postings and third-party sources, reports the current national average at $70,960 per year ($34.12/hour) as of January 2026. Indeed, using salaries submitted from 1,800+ job postings over 36 months, shows a somewhat higher figure of $74,827. Glassdoor, based on 3,391 anonymously submitted salaries, reports $78,919 as the average with a typical range of $63,057 to $99,917. PayScale, meanwhile, estimates the average at $58,180 based on its own survey data, while Kaplan’s career center shows $59,058.

These differences matter, but the overall picture is clear: a deputy sheriff in 2026 earns somewhere between $59,000 and $79,000 nationally, with the most commonly cited figure landing near $71,000. The BLS groups deputies into the broader “police and sheriff’s patrol officers” category (SOC 33-3051), reporting a May 2024 national mean of $79,320 for that combined group. The bottom 10% earn under $34,000, while the top 10% surpass $103,000. For departments budgeting personnel costs — including custom star badges, uniform shirts, duty pants, and patrol rainwear — the median provides the most useful planning benchmark.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Deputy Sheriffs

Washington leads the nation for deputy sheriff compensation, with an average of $80,369 — 13.3% above the national average. California, New York, and New Jersey follow closely, all paying above $76,000. Notably, these same states tend to have the strongest police unions, highest costs of living, and most competitive recruitment environments. Deputies serving in these states carry professionally manufactured badges that reflect the prestige and compensation these positions command.

Notably, the highest-paying cities for deputy sheriffs cluster in specific metros: Nome, Alaska; Berkeley, California; and Aspen, Colorado top the list according to ZipRecruiter. San Diego County, one of the nation’s largest sheriff’s departments, posts a 2025 base salary range of $85,306 to $120,158 for deputies, with additional premiums for education, bilingual skills, and specialized assignments. Spokane County, Washington publishes its 2026 salary scale openly: starting deputies earn $74,734, rising to $108,700 after 20+ years, while detectives start at $111,966. When these sheriff’s office positions come with competitive badges, gear, and benefits, the total compensation package becomes a powerful recruitment tool. Departments investing in custom-designed sheriff badges and quality equipment consistently report stronger candidate pipelines.

Lowest-Paying States and the Deputy Retention Crisis

At the bottom of the pay scale, deputy sheriffs face a fundamentally different reality. Mississippi, Indiana, and Oklahoma consistently rank among the lowest-paying states, with average deputy salaries falling below $42,000. When a deputy in Mississippi earns $34,240 — barely above the poverty line for a family of four — the consequences for retention are severe. Many rural sheriff’s offices in these states operate with skeleton crews, sometimes covering hundreds of square miles with just a handful of sworn personnel.

The five lowest-paying states for deputy sheriffs are Mississippi ($34,240), Indiana ($40,100), Oklahoma ($40,880), Alabama ($41,200), and West Virginia ($41,950). These figures represent a pay gap of up to 134% compared to Washington’s average — meaning a deputy in the Evergreen State earns more than double what a colleague in Mississippi takes home. Several of these states have responded with emergency pay increases: Oklahoma passed legislation in 2025 raising the minimum deputy salary floor, and Louisiana declared a state of emergency over law enforcement staffing shortages. Even so, counties in low-paying states struggle to retain experienced deputies who can move to higher-paying jurisdictions or leave corrections work entirely for private-sector careers.

Sheriff Department Pay by Rank: From Recruit to Elected Sheriff

Sheriff’s office pay scales follow a structured step system similar to police departments, but with unique positions that don’t exist in municipal law enforcement. Understanding the full rank hierarchy is essential for career planning. Here’s how salaries typically progress from entry-level to top command, using aggregated data from major sheriff’s departments across the country:

The Spokane County, Washington salary scale illustrates a real-world step progression: starting deputies earn $74,734 (Step 1), rising to $82,201 after one year, $99,465 after five years, and $108,700 after 20+ years. Detectives in Spokane start at $111,966, and sergeants begin at $126,006. This 46% increase from entry to top step represents significant career growth within a single department. Notably, each promotion brings not only a salary increase but also a new badge — from the five-point patrol star to specialized command designs. Understanding what different badge shapes signify helps deputies appreciate how their credentials evolve with their career.

Deputy Sheriff vs. Police Officer Pay: How Do They Compare?

One of the most common questions from prospective law enforcement candidates is whether sheriffs or police pay better. The answer varies significantly by jurisdiction. The BLS combines both into the same occupational category (SOC 33-3051), with a May 2024 national mean of $79,320 for “police and sheriff’s patrol officers.” However, when broken out by employer type, patterns emerge. Deputies working for county governments tend to earn slightly less than municipal police officers in major metropolitan areas, but often more than small-town police departments. For a detailed state-by-state breakdown of police officer salary data, see our companion guide.

The key takeaway: deputy sheriff compensation is competitive with — and sometimes exceeds — municipal police pay, especially in large counties where the sheriff’s office functions as the primary law enforcement agency. In Texas, for example, county peace officers in major metropolitan counties (Harris, Dallas, Bexar) earn salaries that match or exceed city police departments. Texas law enforcement badges carry particular prestige in the Lone Star State, where the tradition of county sheriffs runs deep. Deputies who hold Texas peace officer credentials can serve at any level of state law enforcement.

Benefits, Overtime, and Equipment Allowances

Base salary tells only part of the story. Deputy sheriff total compensation packages often add 30% to 50% on top of base pay through benefits, overtime, and allowances. Understanding the full picture is critical whether you are a candidate evaluating offers or a county administrator building a competitive package. Departments that invest in professional equipment — from quality badge sets to uniform polo shirts and traffic control gear — report measurably higher morale and retention.

Retirement and Pension: Most sheriff’s offices participate in state or county retirement systems that provide defined-benefit pensions. In Washington state, deputies are automatically enrolled in the Washington State Retirement System, which provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit once vested. Many states allow deputies to retire after 20 to 25 years of service regardless of age, with pensions typically calculated at 2% to 3% per year of service multiplied by final average salary. A deputy retiring after 25 years at a $90,000 salary could receive a pension of $56,250 annually (assuming a 2.5% multiplier). Spokane County deputies can also convert 50% of their unused sick leave into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA VEBA) upon retirement after 20 years.

Health Insurance: County-funded health insurance is standard, though the county’s share of premiums varies. Spokane County covers 95% of employee premiums and 90% of dependent premiums. At current rates, a deputy’s out-of-pocket cost is as low as $21.60 per pay period for employee-only coverage through Kaiser Permanente — roughly $562 per year versus the $7,000+ annual premium a comparable private-sector worker might pay. This benefit alone represents thousands in additional compensation. Departments that issue professional custom badges and quality uniforms alongside strong benefits packages consistently outperform competitors in recruiting.

Overtime and Specialty Pay: Sheriff’s deputies working patrol, detention, and court security divisions frequently earn overtime at 1.5x their regular rate. During special events, natural disasters, or staffing shortages, overtime can add 20% to 40% to annual earnings. Additional premiums include shift differential pay (typically 3% to 8% for night and weekend shifts), bilingual premiums ($50 to $200/month), field training officer pay, and specialty assignment differentials for SWAT, K-9, narcotics, and marine patrol units. Education premiums — typically 5% for a bachelor’s degree and 7.5% for a master’s — provide ongoing incentives for professional development. San Diego County, for example, offers a 5% education premium after four years in a sworn classification.

Equipment and Vehicle Allowances: Many sheriff’s offices provide take-home patrol vehicles to deputies who have completed field training, which represents a significant cost savings. Spokane County notes that cleared solo-patrol deputies “generally have a vehicle assigned to them.” Uniform allowances typically range from $500 to $1,500 annually and cover items like specialty badges, badge accessories, duty belts, body armor, and tactical gear. Some departments also issue badge-themed items for community relations events, including shield-shaped air freshener badges, square air freshener badges, and starburst air freshener badges — affordable promotional items that build goodwill during community policing events and school resource programs.

Community engagement tools deserve special mention in any discussion of sheriff’s office budgets. Many departments have found that small-budget promotional items strengthen community ties and support recruitment. Badge-shaped car air fresheners bearing the department’s name and logo, for instance, cost under $5 each and are extremely popular at community events, National Night Out gatherings, and school visits. Options include department shield designs, county seal formats, custom color options, dual-sided prints, memorial designs, K-9 unit editions, anniversary editions, and custom shape variations. These items complement the professional image that begins with a properly manufactured badge and well-maintained uniforms.

Elected Sheriff Salary: How County Leaders Are Paid

Unlike every other law enforcement position in the United States, the county sheriff is an elected official — and their salary structure reflects that unique status. ZipRecruiter reports the national average elected sheriff salary at $112,878 per year ($54.27/hour) as of January 2026, with Glassdoor showing a range of $65,867 to $103,865 based on 45 salary submissions. However, elected sheriff compensation varies enormously based on county population and state law.

In Arizona, state statute (ARS 11-419) sets sheriff salaries by county population class: $120,824 for counties with 500,000+ residents and the same base for smaller counties, effective January 2025. Florida uses a more complex formula: Chapter 2024-86 increased base sheriff salaries by $5,000 across all population groups effective July 2024, with additional adjustments based on annual cost-of-living factors and county population. The largest Florida counties see elected sheriff salaries approaching $200,000 when all factors are applied. Montana’s Cascade County recently approved a 6% increase for its sheriff plus an additional 1.9%, bringing the total to $110,103 — partly funded by a voter-approved public safety levy. The badge an elected sheriff wears is often the most distinctive in the department: a custom-designed star featuring the county seal, the sheriff’s name, and the state emblem.

An important detail for aspiring sheriffs: in most states, the elected sheriff’s salary is set by a county compensation board or state statute — not by the sheriff themselves. Many states require that deputy salaries be calculated as a percentage of the sheriff’s salary, creating a direct link between the elected leader’s compensation and their entire sworn staff. This means a sheriff pay increase automatically raises deputy pay as well, which is why sheriff salary legislation often garners bipartisan support. Each badge number in a sheriff’s department represents not just an individual officer but an investment in public safety that extends from the elected sheriff down through every rank.

Job Outlook and Career Growth Through 2034

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3% employment growth for police and sheriff’s patrol officers through 2034 — roughly in line with the average for all occupations. However, that modest percentage understates the actual opportunity: the BLS estimates approximately 62,200 openings per year for this combined category, driven primarily by replacement demand as officers retire, transfer, or leave the profession. For sheriff’s offices specifically, the outlook is even more favorable because of the acute staffing crisis affecting county law enforcement nationwide.

The SafeHome.org analysis of FBI and BLS data through December 2025 reveals striking state-level differences. Oklahoma saw the largest increase in law enforcement employment at 33%, while Maryland experienced the steepest decline at 27%. Several southern and rural states are experiencing critical shortages, with Louisiana declaring a formal state of emergency over law enforcement staffing. These shortages mean deputies who are willing to relocate to underserved areas — particularly those with experience and proper credentials — will find exceptional leverage in salary negotiations.

For aspiring deputies, the path into a sheriff’s office typically requires completing a state-certified law enforcement academy (usually 16 to 24 weeks), passing a background investigation, meeting physical fitness standards, and being at least 21 years of age. Most states require TCOLE certification (Texas), POST certification (California), or equivalent state peace officer licensing. Associates and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice are increasingly preferred and can accelerate promotion timelines. Understanding your badge number and what it represents is part of the professional identity that begins at the academy. State-specific requirements vary significantly — for example, Ohio requires OPOTC certification for all sworn officers, while other states use different commissioning bodies.

Pay growth trends are positive. The average deputy sheriff salary has increased approximately 10% over the past decade, from around $41,490 in 2014 to today’s $50,143 (Zippia) or $70,960 (ZipRecruiter) depending on the source. More importantly, the competition for qualified candidates has driven salary increases faster than inflation in recent years, with departments in Texas, Florida, and the Southeast implementing the largest jumps. The language of policing — from 10-codes to rank insignia — is evolving alongside these salary trends, as departments modernize operations while preserving the traditions that define sheriff’s offices. With agencies also investing in updated badge designs that reflect modern standards while honoring heritage, the profession is positioning itself for a new era of recruitment.

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