State guide · police pay scales
Arizona police payStarting and top-step pay by department
In Arizona, median starting base pay is $72,250 across 4 departments and median top-step pay is $107,260 across 3, from official pay schedules.
Starting pay: $72,250 (median of 4 departments). Top step: $107,260 (median of 3 departments).
Arizona departments compared
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| Phoenix Police Department | City police | $75,847 | $109,984 | Not in our data | FY 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Police Department | City police | $76,418 | $107,260 | Not in our data | FY 2027 |
| Arizona Department of Public Safety | State police | $68,652 | $96,182 | Not in our data | Not in our data |
| Tucson Police Department Limited data | City police | $65,499 | Not in our data | Not in our data | Not in our data |
Arizona: starting vs top-step pay
View chart data
| Department | Start | Top step |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Police Department | $75,847 | $109,984 |
| Mesa Police Department | $76,418 | $107,260 |
| Arizona Department of Public Safety | $68,652 | $96,182 |
| Tucson Police Department | $65,499 | Not in our data |
Frequently asked questions
How much do police officers make in Arizona?
In Arizona, median starting base pay is $72,250 across 4 departments and median top-step pay is $107,260 across 3, from official pay schedules. Overtime, longevity and incentive pay are extra.
Which Arizona police agency pays the most?
Of the departments in this guide, Phoenix Police Department has the highest top-step base pay at $109,984.
What does the federal wage survey say about Arizona police pay?
The BLS May 2025 survey puts the median annual wage for all police and sheriff’s patrol officers in Arizona at $78,880. That estimate covers every agency and experience level, so it differs from department pay schedules.
Sources and last checked
- City of Phoenix 2026-2028 Unit 4 (PLEA) MOU, Attachment C Wages · Phoenix Police Department
- Phoenix Police Department: official source page · Phoenix Police Department
- Join Mesa PD: Sworn Careers, Pay and Incentives · Mesa Police Department
- AZDPS class specification: State Trooper; job posting: Cadet State Trooper (posted 2026-10-05) · Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Arizona Department of Public Safety: official source page · Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Tucson Police Department Recruiting - Pay & Benefits · Tucson Police Department
- BLS OEWS: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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