As the name suggests, a canine officer is a police officer who works with a specially trained dog. These dogs are trained to track humans and detect illegal narcotics, bombs and other contraband. After a few years of service as a regular patrol officer, a police officer interested in specializing in the canine unit can obtain canine training and certification. Because a canine officer is essentially a specialized police officer, her salary is similar to that of a patrol officer.

Salary According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the average national salary of a canine officer is $56,260 per year or $27.05 per hour, as of May 2011. Salaries range from $21,120 to $112,730 per year. Some police departments require canine and other police officers to possess only a high school diploma, while others require an associate's or bachelor's degree. A minimum education requirement can weigh heavily on an officer's salary.

Regional Comparison As of 2011, canine and other police officers earned the highest pay in New Jersey. According to the BLS, the average wage of officers in New Jersey was $81,970 per year or $39.41 an hour. In California, the District of Columbia and Alaska, canine and other police officers received annual compensation of $78,790, $67,650 and $67,400, respectively. The lowest-paying state for canine and other police officers was Mississippi, where the average salary was $31,060 per year, or $14.94 per hour. In West Virginia, Arkansas and South Carolina, the average annual pay was $36,250, $36,660 and $38,810, respectively.

Contributing Factors In New Jersey, California, the District of Columbia and Alaska, compensation for canine and other police officers is significantly higher to accommodate the cost of living. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas and South Carolina all have relatively low costs of living, which contributes to the low pay scale. In many police departments, canine officers receive a supplemental canine pay, which accommodates the expense of caring for the dog. This supplement raises a canine officer's pay slightly, compared to other police officers. Because the minimum education requirement differs according to region, officers who hold an advanced degree tend to earn more than officers who meets the minimum requirements.

Career Outlook The BLS reports that the need for canine and other police officers will grow about 7 percent from 2010 to 2020. This is slower than the national average for all other occupations. Because many departments offer low starting salaries, departments can face high employee turnover rates, which makes opportunities plentiful. Budget cuts in some states might limit the hiring of additional canine and police officers. Jobs in state and federal agencies are more competitive because they offer more opportunities and better pay. Officers who are bilingual, or who have military or law enforcement experience, usually have the best opportunities.

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