Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Boulder, CO
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $100,060 a year ($48.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,690 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 3% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $97,350. There are 1.9 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $93,370, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| 25th percentile | $79,380 | $38.16 |
| Median | $100,060 | $48.11 |
| 75th percentile | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,690 | $50.33 |
| Average (mean) | $93,370 | $44.89 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,338.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,169.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,848.46 |
| Weekly | $1,924.23 |
| Hourly | $48.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $101,970 | 4,990 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $96,740 | 600 |
| Greeley, CO | $96,620 | 460 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $93,640 | 240 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $91,580 | 1,240 |
| Pueblo, CO | $76,060 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Security Guard | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Firefighter | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $121,000 | $58.17 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,360 | $63.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,340 | $26.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $100,060 a year, or $48.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $104,690 a year. The top 25% earn $102,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,430 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $79,380 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Boulder, CO?
About 370 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.