I am wanting to become a cop then FBI after a few years. Anyways what i am wondering is can you live on just a cops salary?
Can you get a nice car? A nice home? Nice electronics in your home (TVs, videogame systems, good PCs etc)?
2007-02-23 09:37:04 · 16 answers · asked by evilprince 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
My dad owns a furniture business, and i will also have a hand in that and get some of the pay. Also i will get free real wood furniture.
2007-02-23 11:40:36 · update #1
Yes you can. All of the answers are correct except for a few. You have to live within your means, you may want to take some off duty jobs if you want a little extra, and it depends on the department and area you work for.
I have been at my current job for 6 years now and only make $40,000 a year, but by doing what I mentioned above, I have 2 vehicles, a 3 bed to bath house with 2500 plus square feet. I have a wife and two kids that get everything they want. We vacation at least once a year. I have a nice computer and the boys have a PlayStation. but we are by no means rich and every decision we make financially is a big one.
Like another poster said. If you want to do the job for the money, find another career. Law Enforcement is rewarding in a whole other way, not with money.
2007-02-23 10:41:51 · answer #1 · answered by thanson73 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It depends on what you want and how hard you want to work. Police officers generally make a reasonable salary in larger metropolitain areas, small towns and rural agencies usually pay less. One of the perks of being a police officer is extra-duty. Many businesses hire off-duty police officers to work security. If you don't mind long hours you can nearly double your salary by hiring yourself out on your days off.
As a starting police officer the usual extra duty rate is more than your hourly rate so its like working overtime.
I worked nearly 16 hours a day for six months to get the down payment for my first house. As the years went by and I rose through the ranks, I made a pretty good living. Not enough to get rich but enough to live well even while raising a family. If you're single you can live well as long as you don't over do it.
2007-02-23 10:03:33 · answer #2 · answered by JOHN 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
$50,000!? Ha! Even Generals in the military don't make as much. Starting salary for a cop is around 21,000.
2016-05-24 03:31:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can live on a police officer's salary. Depending on where you start, the pay is actually really decent. A town a few miles away from mine has a starting pay of $42,000 dollars.
2007-02-23 10:42:40 · answer #4 · answered by Kikyo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Living alone? maybe.......you may have to pick one..the nice car, the flashy life, or the furniture. It also depends on where you choose to serve. Your best bet is to stay in school, suck off moms and dads wallet for a bit and move right in to the FBI. Alot of cops supplement their income by working off duty, so.....say goodbye to your offtime.
2007-02-23 09:43:45 · answer #5 · answered by ZEROCOOL 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you can live on a cop's salary, but you aren't going to get rich. If you are thinking of getting into law enforcement for the money, you should find another career. Money is the wrong motivation for the things you will have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
2007-02-23 09:42:01 · answer #6 · answered by dh1977 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
It really depends on where you live and what kind of department (i.e. a small city or county department). I live in IL and there are a few departments in the area that make good money.
2007-02-23 09:43:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my case, it would be a pay increase. I can live on what I make now. I could use more if I had it, but I could live on less if I had to.
2007-02-23 12:58:01 · answer #8 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what they make, but with any job's salary, you should learn to live within your means. I would think they make decent money. You may not be able to drive a luxury car or live in a mansion, but you should be able to make a decent living.
2007-02-23 09:41:10 · answer #9 · answered by First Lady 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
You bet you can. Don't think that a cop doesn't get paid well. Plus the benefits are enormus ,pension and medical. $39,000-58,000 a year. Don't feel sorry for officer vick. That is the average. Some make much more.
2007-02-23 09:47:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋