How much does a transit and railroad police make?
The median transit and railroad police in the United States earns $82,320 per year, about $39.58 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all transit and railroad police earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 33-3052.
Transit and railroad police salary range
Pay for transit and railroad police spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $58,370 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $141,870. The average (mean) wage of $91,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,370 | $28.06 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $65,920 | $31.69 | |
| Median (50th) | $82,320 | $39.58 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $114,040 | $54.83 | |
| 90th percentile | $141,870 | $68.21 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for transit and railroad police (SOC 33-3052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Transit and railroad police salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Transit and railroad police earn the most in California at $109,810 a year, and the least in Colorado at $62,440. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $109,810 | 100 |
| Texas | $108,530 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $105,630 | 320 |
| New York | $105,510 | 970 |
| Maryland | $86,650 | 230 |
| Florida | $69,620 | 100 |
| Missouri | $68,640 | 80 |
| Colorado | $62,440 | 50 |
State median wages for transit and railroad police (SOC 33-3052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for transit and railroad police
The BLS projects employment of transit and railroad police to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for transit and railroad police. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a transit and railroad police
The typical entry-level education for transit and railroad police is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a transit and railroad police earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $109,810) and the lowest (Colorado, $62,440) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,000 people work as transit and railroad police in the United States. At $82,320 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Transit and railroad police salary FAQ
How much does a transit and railroad police make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a transit and railroad police is $39.58. The middle half of transit and railroad police earn between $31.69 and $54.83 per hour.
What is the highest transit and railroad police salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of transit and railroad police earn more than $141,870 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a transit and railroad police make a year?
The median annual salary for a transit and railroad police is $82,320. The average (mean) wage of $91,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a transit and railroad police a well paid job?
At $82,320 a year, a transit and railroad police earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,000 people work as transit and railroad police in the United States.
Which state pays transit and railroad police the most?
California has the highest median salary for transit and railroad police at $109,810 a year. Texas ($108,530) and New Jersey ($105,630) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a transit and railroad police a good career?
Employment of transit and railroad police is projected to grow 3.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a transit and railroad police?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for transit and railroad police as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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