A police officer’s obligation belt outfitted with handcuffs, a radio, pepper spray, and a holstered firearm. A brand new 2025 rating compares how states assist officers by means of pay, coaching, and office protections.
LOS ANGELES – A brand new WalletHub research ranks all 50 states and Washington, D.C., by how “police-friendly” they’re in 2025—and the findings reveal stark variations in compensation, security, and job assist throughout the U.S.
The report comes amid a nationwide dialog on policing requirements, officer shortages, and the altering public notion of regulation enforcement. Whereas some departments are investing in coaching and transparency, others wrestle with retention and neighborhood belief. WalletHub’s research weighs these dynamics, evaluating all the pieces from salaries and job hazards to coaching hours and de-escalation insurance policies.
Which states are finest for law enforcement officials in 2025?
By the numbers:
California earned the highest spot due to excessive police compensation and rigorous coaching requirements. Officers within the Golden State begin at over $5,600 a month on common and earn a median annual wage of almost $85,600, adjusted for value of residing—the third-highest nationwide.
Connecticut and Illinois adopted carefully behind, each emphasizing officer coaching and schooling. Connecticut requires 1,321 hours of fundamental coaching—greater than some other state—and ranks third in police security metrics. Illinois boasts the best median annual wage for officers at over $101,700.
“Some states make defending and serving the general public in a regulation enforcement profession extra interesting than others,” mentioned WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The perfect states for law enforcement officials provide aggressive compensation, supplemented by stable coaching that helps decrease the probabilities of lethal violence between officers and civilians.”
The place is it hardest to be a cop?
The opposite aspect:
On the backside of the listing, Alaska ranked 51st total, falling behind Hawaii and Nevada. Officers in these states face low earnings progress, fewer coaching necessities, and better job dangers.
For instance, Alaska scored among the many worst for officer coaching and job protections, and ranks close to the highest for violent crime. In the meantime, Kentucky, which ranked fiftieth for per-capita police spending, additionally positioned forty seventh in total state rating.
New Mexico, Arkansas, and Louisiana rounded out the underside tier, with poor marks for violent crime, officer assault charges, and earnings.
What’s driving these rankings?
The backstory:
WalletHub evaluated states utilizing 30 metrics throughout three dimensions: Alternative & Competitors, Legislation Enforcement Coaching Necessities, and Job Hazards & Protections. Knowledge sources included the FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration, and different federal and nonprofit databases.
Components ranged from wage progress and officer fatalities to insurance policies on physique cameras, crimson flag legal guidelines, and de-escalation coaching. States had been additionally scored on whether or not they enable police work earlier than coaching completion and whether or not officers should endure continued skilled schooling.
In California, for instance, police are required to finish 664 hours of fundamental coaching plus 560 hours of discipline coaching—among the many highest within the nation. The state additionally mandates de-escalation instruction and helps “Blue Alerts” to assist catch suspects who injure officers.
Connecticut scored extremely on security, with one of many lowest charges of officers killed or assaulted, thanks partly to low crime charges and complete coaching insurance policies.
What’s subsequent for regulation enforcement careers?
What’s subsequent:
The report notes that job protections and assist techniques might play a much bigger position in recruiting and retaining officers going ahead—particularly as departments grapple with public scrutiny and labor shortages.
Consultants featured in WalletHub’s research mentioned that to enhance the sector, departments should steadiness funding in tools and know-how with a deeper give attention to delicate expertise and neighborhood relationships.
Among the many questions they explored: learn how to rebuild public belief, diversify police departments, and guarantee officers are educated to deal with psychological well being and substance use crises.
The Supply: This text relies on WalletHub’s 2025 report, “Finest & Worst States to Be a Police Officer,” which evaluated 30 weighted metrics utilizing knowledge from sources together with the FBI, BLS, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
