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K9 Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Reynoldsburg, OH

Police Officer

Reynoldsburg, OH · On-site

$74K - $117K/yr

At the Chief's discretion, police officers may be assigned to work as a patrol officer, detective, narcotic/vice officer, officer in charge, K9 officer, School Resource Officer, or any other position ...

City of Middleton, WI

Police Officer

Middleton, WI · On-site

$36.11 - $44.78/hr

The staff includes a Chief of Police, two Captains, four Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Detectives, three School Resource Officers, Training Officer, Community Officer, K9 Officer, and 22 patrol ...

City of Whitehall

Lateral Police Officer

Columbus, OH

$36.52 - $53.60/hr

At the Chief's discretion, police officers may be assigned to work as a patrol officer, detective, narcotic/vice officer, officer in charge, K9 officer, School Resource Officer, or any other position ...

City of Middleton

Police Officer

Middleton, WI · On-site

$36.11 - $44.78/hr

The staff includes a Chief of Police, two Captains, four Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Detectives, three School Resource Officers, Training Officer, Community Officer, K9 Officer, and 22 patrol ...

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K9 Officer information

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$8

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$69

How much do k9 officer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for k9 officer in the United States is $25.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much is K9 getting paid?

K9 officers typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and agency size. They often receive specialized training and may earn additional compensation for handling police dogs or working overtime.

What's the highest K9 handler pay?

K9 handler salaries vary by location, experience, and agency, but top earners can make over $70,000 annually. Factors such as specialized training, certifications, and working in larger or federal agencies can increase pay rates for K9 officers. Some federal agencies may offer higher salaries and additional benefits for experienced handlers.

Do K9 officers get paid good?

K9 officers are law enforcement personnel who work with trained police dogs, and their salaries typically align with police officer pay scales, which vary by location and experience. In general, K9 officers earn a competitive salary that may include additional benefits such as specialized training and equipment. Salary ranges can be influenced by factors like department size, geographic area, and years of service.

What are K9 Officers?

K9 Officers are law enforcement professionals who work closely with specially trained police dogs, known as K9s, to perform a variety of duties. These officers and their canine partners assist in tasks such as detecting drugs, explosives, finding missing persons, and apprehending suspects. The dogs are trained to use their keen sense of smell and agility to support police work and enhance public safety. K9 Officers are responsible for the care, training, and well-being of their dogs, forming a strong bond with them to operate effectively as a team.

How do you get to be a K9 officer?

To become a K9 officer, candidates typically need to be law enforcement officers first, then undergo specialized training in police dog handling, obedience, and detection skills. Certification in K9 training and experience in patrol or investigative work are often required, along with physical fitness and a clean background check.

What is the difference between K9 Officer vs Police Officer?

AspectK9 OfficerPolice Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, police academy, K9 handling certificationHigh school diploma, police academy
Work EnvironmentPatrols, training with K9 units, crime scene searchesPatrol, investigations, community engagement
Employer & IndustryLaw enforcement agencies, specialized K9 unitsLaw enforcement agencies, general policing

While both K9 Officers and Police Officers work in law enforcement, K9 Officers specialize in handling police dogs for searches, tracking, and suspect apprehension. Police Officers perform broader duties like patrol, investigations, and community policing. K9 Officers require specific K9 handling certifications, whereas Police Officers focus on general law enforcement training. Both roles are essential in maintaining public safety but differ in their focus and daily responsibilities.

What are some common challenges K9 Officers face when working with their canine partners?

K9 Officers often encounter challenges related to maintaining a strong bond and effective communication with their canine partners. Building trust takes time and requires consistent training, patience, and understanding of the dog's behavior. Additionally, K9 Officers must ensure their canine partners are well-socialized and able to perform in high-stress or distracting environments, which can be demanding. Balancing the dog's well-being with operational demands is essential for both successful outcomes and the long-term health of the animal.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a K9 Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a K9 Officer, you need law enforcement training, canine handling skills, and usually a police academy certification. Familiarity with canine training techniques, scent detection tools, and radio communication systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, patience, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for building trust with your canine partner and collaborating with colleagues. These abilities are vital for ensuring effective public safety operations, successful investigations, and positive police-canine relationships.
More about K9 Officer jobs
What cities are hiring for K9 Officer jobs? Cities with the most K9 Officer job openings:
What states have the most K9 Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for K9 Officer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching K9 Officer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for K9 Officer jobs are:
K9 Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various K9 Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 27% Internship, 17% As Needed, 21% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 16% Temporary, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 46% Physical, and 54% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $53,799 per year, or $25.9 per hour.

Police Officer

City of Reynoldsburg, OH

Reynoldsburg, OH • On-site

$74K - $117K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Salary : $74,276.80 - $117,020.80 Annually
Location : Police Dept - 7240 E Main Street, Reynoldsburg
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00102
Department: Police
Division: Law Enforcement - Officers
Opening Date: 04/07/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: FOP
Description
Under supervision, a Police Officer patrols a designated area of the city, enforcing State and City laws and maintaining order. A police Officer answers calls when a crime is suspected or an emergency exists and takes such actions as are necessary to prevent crime, to apprehend criminals, to maintain safety, and to assist citizens in a wide range of emergency and non-emergency situations.
Before completing this application, you must have at least one of the following:
OPOTA Certification, Submitted N.T.N. Law Enforcement Exam scores OR meet our requirements for Lateral Candidate. Details below.
OPOTA Certified Candidates: N.T.N. scores are not required. Please proceed with the application.
Non-OPOTA Certified Candidates: N.T.N. - Law Enforcement Exam scores are required.
To schedule your exam, go to Be sure to select City of Reynoldsburg Police Department when submitting your scores. If you have already taken the exam within the past 12 months, you do not need to re-take the exam. You may request through N.T.N to have your scores sent to our department.
Lateral Candidates: Lateral Candidates must be a full-time police officer with arrest powers, certified in any state with no break in service for the last (one) year. You may apply if you were recently laid off or placed in a part time or reserve position after having worked in a full-time position for one year, providing you still hold a valid certification. You must also pass a physical agility test, a background investigation, an interview, a medical examination and psychological examination. Please attach a detailed Resume to be sent to the Chief.
Examples of Duties
The Police Officer is the line officer within the Reynoldsburg Division of Police and is usually assigned to the Patrol Bureau or the Detective Bureau. At the Chief's discretion, police officers may be assigned to work as a patrol officer, detective, narcotic/vice officer, officer in charge, K9 officer, School Resource Officer, or any other position as needed. The position is classified under Civil Service and reports directly to the assigned Sergeant.
  • Drives police vehicles, patrols designated areas
  • Reports unsafe conditions such as street obstruction
  • Issues citations for violations of traffic laws
  • Makes arrests, sometimes requiring the use of physical effort
  • Has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons
  • Transports prisoners and provides escorts; directs traffic
  • Conducts investigations of accidents and crimes
  • Preserves crime scenes; gathers, prepares and preserves evidence; lifts latent fingerprints
  • Checks doors and windows of homes and businesses for security
  • Responds to radio calls
  • Takes reports/statements from complainants' places property in property room, completes proper paperwork
  • Assists injured persons
  • Answers inquiries
  • Assists stranded motorists
  • Looks for and investigates conditions or situations which may indicate a crime is about to be or has been committed
  • Maintains records and prepares reports of incidents and activities; secures warrants
  • Serves warrants and subpoenas
  • Where juveniles are involved, interviews parents, teachers, and others
  • Appears in courts, works with agencies and school officials
  • Takes photographs of accident scenes, prisoners, crime scenes
  • Assists court, reviews situations, testifies
  • Watches for and locates missing persons, stole vehicles and goods; operates speed measuring equipment, breath testing equipment, window tint meters, video equipment
  • Attends meetings, training sessions; gives talks and tours
  • Performs other duties requiring similar skills
  • Maintains required licenses and/or certificates
  • Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Typical Qualifications
  • Must be twenty-one (21) years of age at time of appointment.
  • Excellent personal background.
  • A valid driver's license with a good driving record.
  • Must be able to pass physical agility and physiological examination.

Supplemental Information
Non-Sworn Candidates who submit passing NTN scores are eligible to earn an additional credit percentage added to their final scores. Extra credit may be obtained for the following areas: Military (2%-5%) or bachelor's degree (3%)
You may only receive credit for oneselection and may not combine credit for more than one item. Candidates are awarded credit for the highest eligible selection.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, health saving accounts, educational assistance, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
01
Are you at least 21 years old?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have a High School diploma, GED, or equivalent?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Do you have a valid Ohio driver's license with a good driving record?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Are you a U.S. citizen or have declared your intentions of becoming a citizen and possess a valid permanent resident card?
  • Yes
  • No

05
Can you pass an extensive background check?
  • Yes
  • No

06
Can you pass pre-employment drug screen and physical?
  • Yes
  • No

07
OPOTA - Do you have a current certification with the Ohio Peace officers' Training Council?
  • Yes
  • No

08
Do you have a Bachelor's degree (3%) From an accredited college or university? (if yes, attach a copy of your diploma or transcript)
  • Yes
  • No

09
Military Credit 2% - Are you a member in good standing of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, who successfully completes the member's initial entry-level training?
  • Yes
  • No

10
Military Credit 5% - Have you been honorably discharged from the uniformed services or transferred to the reserves, or a member of the reserve component of the armed forces who has completed more than 180 days of active duty?
  • Yes
  • No

11
Have you used marijuana in the last 2 years of application? (This is an automatic removal)
  • Yes
  • No

12
With the exception of marijuana, have you used any illegal drugs in the last 5 years of application? (This is an automatic removal)
  • Yes
  • No

13
Have you been convicted of an OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence) or reduced charge, or a Reckless Operation within the last 5 years? IF YES, EMAIL CIVIL SERVICE WITH EXPLANATION.
  • Yes
  • No

14
As an adult have you admitted to, been arrested, incarcerated or convicted of a misdemeanor (including traffic offenses such as OVI, etc.)?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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