With its popularity as a retirement state, vacation destination, and prosoporous jobs economy, Florida comes in second for number of police job openings each year, with 1,730 average new hires annually over the next 6 years. Florida offers a wide range of urban, suburban and rural law enforcement opportunities, all of which are close to popular vacation areas.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the statistics:

• Total patrol officers and deputies in 2004: 38,070
• Total expected by 2014: 45,520
• Number of newly hired officers each year: 1,730
• Median salary for patrol officers and deputies: $47,964

Other States

1. California
2. New York
3. Illinois
4. Georgia