Police officers (sergeant and below) Pay Data UK — 2025

Police officers (sergeant and below) roles in the UK earn a median of £48,500 per year, equivalent to £23.16 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 4.4% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £47,000 in Wales to £51,500 in Scotland. Pay has risen over the past 5 years.

Median Annual Pay

£48,500

as of 2025

High confidence

Median Hourly Pay

£23.16

per hour

Year-on-Year Change

+4.4%

vs 2024

Annual Pay Range

£38,000 – £56,000

25th – 75th percentile

Labour Market

There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.

Pay by Region

Median annual pay for Police officers (sergeant and below) across UK regions.

Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).

Police officers (sergeant and below) annual pay by UK region
Region	Median Pay
Scotland	£51,500
North West	£48,500
South West	£48,500
North East	£48,000
East Midlands	£47,500
West Midlands	£47,500
Yorkshire and The Humber	£47,000
Wales	£47,000
UK	£48,500

How Pay Has Changed Over Time

Annual pay grew by +4.4% from 2024 to 2025.

National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.

Year-on-Year Pay Change

Annual percentage change in median pay for Police officers (sergeant and below).

Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Police officers (sergeant and below) earn in the UK?

The median salary for a Police officers (sergeant and below) in the UK is £48,500 per year (about £23.16 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.

What is the typical pay range for a Police officers (sergeant and below)?

Most Police officers (sergeant and below) earn between £38,000 and £56,000 a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).

Is Police officers (sergeant and below) pay rising or falling?

Police officers (sergeant and below) pay rose by 4.4% from 2024 to 2025.

Where in the UK are Police officers (sergeant and below) paid the most?

The highest median pay for Police officers (sergeant and below) is in Scotland, at £51,500 per year.

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About Police officers (sergeant and below)

Police officers (sergeant and below) co-ordinate and undertake the investigation of crimes, patrol public areas, arrest offenders and suspects and enforce law and order. Officers of the British Transport Police operate within the specialised police service for the railway network across britain.

Typical Tasks and Duties

receives instructions from senior officers and patrols an assigned area on foot, horseback, motorcycle, motor car or boat to check security and enforce regulations
directs and controls traffic or crowds at demonstrations and large public events
investigates complaints, crimes, accidents, any suspicious activities or other incidents
interviews suspects, takes statements from witnesses and stops, searches and/or arrests suspects
attends accidents
prepares briefs or reports for senior officers
works on station reception desk and or in communications room
gives evidence in court cases

Entry Routes and Qualifications

There are no academic requirements for entry to the civilian (Home Office) police although eligibility criteria vary across individual police forces. Entrants must sit an entry test and pass a medical examination. All police officers undergo a two year probationary training period. Residency, nationality and age restrictions apply, and background security checks are carried out in respect of entrants. Entrants may join via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).