First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
SOC code 33-1012 · O*NET-SOC 33-1012.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Legal and protective services
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$106,040
a year
Hourly
$50.98
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$112,190
$53.94 per hour
Middle 50%
$81,860 – $132,620
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$63,350 – $165,110
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
154,610
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $63,350
- $30.46/hr
- 25th percentile
- $81,860
- $39.35/hr
- Median percentile
- $106,040
- $50.98/hr
- 75th percentile
- $132,620
- $63.76/hr
- 90th percentile
- $165,110
- $79.38/hr
What do first-line supervisors of police and detectives do?
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
- Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
- Train staff in proper police work procedures.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 56% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)56%
- Some College Courses20%
- Bachelor's Degree19%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
Common questions
How much does a first-line supervisors of police and detectives earn?
The national median is $106,040 a year. The full range runs from $63,350 at the 10th percentile to $165,110 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a first-line supervisors of police and detectives without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.7/5
- Law and Government4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.3/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Management of Personnel Resources, Coordination, Persuasion.