First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Protective Service · SOC 33-1012 · O*NET 33-1012.00
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives fall under the Protective Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn a median salary of $105,980 per year, ranking in the top 9% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.9% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do first-line supervisors of police and detectives earn?
The median annual wage for first-line supervisors of police and detectives is $105,980. That puts first-line supervisors of police and detectives at #77 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is first-line supervisors of police and detectives a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for first-line supervisors of police and detectives is +2.9%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 160K positions in 2024 to 165K in 2034, a net change of 5K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.
What education does my child need to become first-line supervisors of police and detective?
Many first-line supervisors of police and detectives enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$93,580 median
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$92,430 median
- Transit and Railroad Police$82,320 median
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators$78,060 median
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$76,310 median
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$76,290 median
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about first-line supervisors of police and detectives
What is the median salary for first-line supervisors of police and detectives?
The median annual salary for first-line supervisors of police and detectives is $105,980 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is first-line supervisors of police and detectives a growing career?
BLS projects +2.9% growth for first-line supervisors of police and detectives from 2024 through 2034, which is flat growth projected to grow slower than the US average.
What education does my child need to become first-line supervisors of police and detective?
The typical entry path requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to first-line supervisors of police and detectives?
Related occupations within the Protective Service category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.