Is Ohio a good or bad state to be a police officer in 2026? Here’s what new study says
Being a police officer today is a hard job and oftentimes, it’s filled with stress.
However, where you live can also impact if being a police officer is any easier or harder.
“Some states make protecting and serving the public in a law enforcement career more appealing than others,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst. “The best states for police officers offer competitive compensation, supplemented by solid training that helps minimize the chances of deadly violence between officers and civilians.”
WalletHub recently ranked each state by which ones are the best and worst for cops by using data about average salary, training hours, police deaths and homicides. Each state was then scored and ranked with other states.
So, is Ohio high or low on the ranking? Here’s what to know:
Ohio ranked 10th best state for police officers
According to the study, Ohio ranked 10th overall with a score of 51.06. Ohio ranked high in the category of law enforcement training requirements and somewhat average in the category of job hazards. However, Ohio ranked a bit low with opportunity and competition.
Let’s see how other states ranked:
Which states are the best for police officers?
- California
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
Which states are the worst for police officers?
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
What do you think of this study? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
