SOC 1162 Corporate managers and directors

Senior police officers Salary

Median salary £55,518 per year (2020). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £56,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For senior police officers, £55,518 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +42% versus the national average.

About this role

Senior police officers hold senior leadership positions within the uniformed services. They are responsible for strategic command, operational planning, personnel management and ensuring public safety and security within their respective services.

Key responsibilities

Strategic and operational command and decision-making
Managing large teams and operational resources
Ensuring compliance with legal frameworks and service standards
Representing the service to government and public bodies
Developing and implementing service improvement strategies

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires extensive service experience and progressive promotion through ranks. Senior leadership courses and qualifications specific to the service are mandatory. Many hold degrees and postgraduate qualifications.

Career outlook

Recruitment into these services remains competitive. Senior positions are reached through long-term career progression within the service.

Key skills

Strategic leadership Crisis management Operational planning Personnel management Public accountability

Common industries

Military
Police
Fire and rescue
Ambulance services
Prison service

Data coverage

SOC code 1162

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2020

Estimated jobs 11,000

Median Salary

£55,518

Mean Salary

£58,923

Jobs (000s)

11k

Data Years

6 years

Salary Range (2020)

P25: £52,632Median: £55,518

P10: --P25: £53kMedian: £56kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£52,632

0-2 years

Mid Level

£52,632

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2020)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +-10.1%Real growth: -17.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2020)

Gender pay gap: 6.0%

Full-time vs All Employees (2020)

All Employees

£55,518

Full-time Only

£55,518

Full-time premium: +£0

Senior police officers salary: common questions

How much do senior police officers earn in the UK?

Senior police officers earn a median of £55,518 a year (ONS ASHE 2020).

Is £55,518 a good salary in the UK?

For senior police officers, £55,518 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +42% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for senior police officers?

Entry-level senior police officers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £52,632, though this varies by employer and region.

Have senior police officers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median senior police officers pay has risen from £61,747 to £55,518 — -10% in cash terms, or -17% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for senior police officers?

Male senior police officers earn a median £56,373 and female senior police officers £52,999 — a gap of +6.0% in 2020.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2020).