Police officer salaries

Police officer salaries

Recruits entering the Police Academy begin earning benefits within 30 days of hire.

Police Recruit Salary

STEPHOURLYMONTHLYANNUAL
Recruit $33.44 $5,818 N/A - Salary during Academy

Entry Level Salary

Once you become a sworn police officer, the salary schedule is as follows:

Sworn Police Salary Scale

STEPHOURLYMONTHLYANNUAL
STEP 1
(Sworn Ofc.)
$40.06 $6,970 $83,640
STEP 2
(6 Months)
$42.96 $7,475 $89,700
STEP 3
(18 Months)
$44.91 $7,814 $93,768
STEP 4
(30 Months)
$46.64 $8,115 $97,380
STEP 5
(42 Months)
$48.98 $8,522 $102,270
STEP 6
(54 Months)
$52.45 $9,126 $109,512
  • Overtime and compensatory time is paid at time and 1/2, with a 3-hour minimum for court and off-duty call outs.

Lateral Salary

  • Pay for Lateral Officers range between STEP 3 and 5, depending on experience.
  • Laterals will attain STEP 6 after the successful completion of STEP 5. 
  • Overtime and compensatory time is paid at time and 1/2, with a 3-hour minimum for court and off-duty call outs.

Lateral Police Salary Scale

STEPHOURLYMONTHLYANNUAL
STEP 3
(24-41 Mos Experience)
$44.91 $7,814 $93,768
STEP 4
(42-53 Mos Experience)
$46.64 $8,115 $97,380
STEP 5
(54+ Mos Experience)
$48.98 $8,522 $102,264


Longevity Pay for Entry and Lateral Officers

  • 2% Body worn video pay effective after 1 year probationary period.

Longevity Pay Schedule

(Years in service with SPD)

Patrol LongevityNon-Patrol Longevity
7 Years - 2% 7 Years - 2%
10 Years - 6% 10 Years - 4%
15 Years - 11% 15 Years - 6%
20 Years - 12% 20 Years - 8%
25 Years - 14% 25 Years - 10%
30 Years - 16% 30 Years - 12%

Benefits

Hiring Incentives

Entry-level - $7,500 Hiring Incentive 

Lateral - $30,000 Hiring Incentive

  • Half of the hiring incentive will be paid in the first paycheck and the second half upon completion of any probationary period established by the Public Safety Civil Service Rules.
  • Hiring incentives paid to new recruits, lateral transfers, and reinstated officers who leave Seattle Police Department employment before five years of completed service must be paid back to the City.

Uniforms and Equipment

Uniform Allowance: Yearly uniform allowance of $550.

Vacation and Benefits

As part of the largest city in the Northwest, the City of Seattle offers generous leave and family coverage. Benefits begin the first day of Academy Training:

  • 10 Paid Holidays plus
    16 hours Personal Holiday
  • 12 Days paid Vacation per year to start. Accrual increases with Longevity.
  • 12 Days paid Sick Leave
    (can be used for spouse/domestic partner, child or parent)
    (unlimited accrual)
  • Enrollment in Washington State LEOFF2 Retirement
  • Deferred Compensation Plan (Optional)
    (City Matches up to $4,380 per year)
  • Premium and Incentive pay depending on assignment

Medical

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

  • Benefits start within 30 days of being hired.
  • No extra cost for Dependants Coverage and Domestic Partner Coverage is available.

Providers

Retirement: LEOFF2 RETIREMENT

Medical: AETNA | KAISER PERMANENTE

Dental: DELTA DENTAL | DENKOR

Vision: VSP

Relief Association: SPRA

Police

Adrian Diaz, Chief of Police
Address: 610 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104-1900
Mailing Address: PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA, 98124-4986
Phone: (206) 625-5011
Contact Us

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from Police

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) prevents crime, enforces laws, and supports quality public safety by delivering respectful, professional, and dependable police services. SPD operates within a framework that divides the city into five geographical areas called "precincts".