A WalletHub analysis designates the bottom 10 U.S. states for police officers in 2025, spotlighting pervasive challenges in compensation, training, and workplace safety.
WalletHub’s nationwide comparison of 50 states and the District of Columbia, based on 30 metrics across opportunity, training, and hazards, rates these as the worst for law enforcement professionals in 2025: Vermont, Montana, Oregon, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska.
These states generally rank low in officer salaries and per-capita police spending. WalletHub data shows Arkansas and Louisiana near the bottom for median incomes, while West Virginia and Vermont offer limited public safety funding.
States at the bottom often require fewer training hours in key areas such as crisis intervention, de-escalation, and firearms tactics.
WalletHub flagged Oregon, Montana, and Vermont for especially low mandatory training standards.
States like Nevada, Alaska, and Arkansas report some of the highest rates of assaults and officer fatalities.
WalletHub’s hazard metrics consistently place these states in the bottom tier.
States with large rural zones, such as Vermont, Montana, and Alaska, pose additional risks.
Officers in remote areas often work alone and handle complex incidents without backup, conditions linked to elevated assault and fatality rates.
Experts warn that low rankings translate to worsened staffing crises. Agencies report unfilled positions and heavier workloads, which threaten community safety and officer well-being.
The stress of extended shifts and high-risk responses may also weaken public trust and patrol effectiveness.
In contrast, the top states in the study scored higher due to a strong combination of competitive salaries, higher training requirements, and enhanced workplace protections.
For example, Illinois ranked third on the list in part due to having the highest median annual wage for patrol officers, ranked at over $101,700 (when adjusted for cost of living).
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