10 of the Most Popular Types of Cop Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Cop jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Cop Jobs

• Puerto Rico Police

  Salary range: $22,500 - $70,500

  Puerto Rico Police is a typical job search query Most salaries for Puerto Rico Police jobs pay between $22,500 (25th percentile) and $70,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Puerto Rico Police job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Police Captain

  Salary range: $87,000 - $172,500

  A police captain is a high-level officer in a police department who is typically responsible for an entire district or precinct. As a police captain, you answer to the police chief. Your job duties include allocating budget resources to each section of your division, analyzing crime data to determine trends in your area, and providing information to the press about ongoing or resolved investigations. You need strong leadership skills and significant experience as a police officer to be eligible for a job as a police captain.

• Independent Contractor Retired Law Enforcement

  Salary range: $37,500 - $63,000

  Independent Contractor Retired Law Enforcement is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Independent Contractor Retired Law Enforcement jobs pay between $37,500 (25th percentile) and $63,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Independent Contractor Retired Law Enforcement job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Sheriff

  Salary range: $98,000 - $121,000

  Sheriffs are elected or appointed law enforcement officers at the county level. They often have the same training and authority as police officers and may work alongside the local police department. Their exact job duties vary by state and county. Sheriffs handle a variety of law enforcement tasks on a daily basis. They supervise their staff, creating schedules and delegating assignments. Sheriffs deliver and serve documents including court orders, eviction notices, and divorce papers to community members. Sheriffs may also take and respond to emergency calls in certain counties. Like other police officers, sheriffs patrol the area, work traffic detail, and may investigate car accidents. A sheriff also has the authority to investigate, arrest, process, and detain criminals. In some counties, the sheriff manages the local jail and communicates with regional courts regarding inmates.

• Police

  Salary range: $49,500 - $65,000

  Police officers are responsible for enforcing laws and meeting citation quotas in their jurisdiction. As a police officer, you patrol the community, investigate crime, make arrests, and issue citations for parking, traffic, and other minor violations. Your main duty is maintaining public order and protecting property. You may work independently or with a partner, and you complete your patrols in a car, on foot, by bicycle, or even on horseback. You have training in weapons use in case of any situation in which you fear for your safety.

• Criminology

  Salary range: $62,000 - $94,500

  Criminology is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Criminology jobs pay between $62,000 (25th percentile) and $94,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Criminology job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Caribbean Police

  Salary range: $48,500 - $74,500

  Caribbean Police is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Caribbean Police jobs pay between $48,500 (25th percentile) and $74,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Caribbean Police job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Mcoles

  Salary range: $48,000 - $69,500

  Mcoles is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Mcoles jobs pay between $48,000 (25th percentile) and $69,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Mcoles job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Swat Officer

  Salary range: $33,500 - $80,500

  Swat Officer is a typical job search query Most salaries for Swat Officer jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $80,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Swat Officer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Alaska Police

  Salary range: $48,500 - $74,500

  Alaska Police is a common job search query. Most salaries for Alaska Police jobs pay between $48,500 (25th percentile) and $74,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Alaska Police job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.