There are currently an estimated 684,200 sheriffs in the United States. The sheriff job market is expected to grow by 7.0% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are sheriffs?

CareerExplorer rates sheriffs with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 51,600 sheriffs. That number is based on 47,700 additional sheriffs, and the retirement of 3,900 existing sheriffs.

What’s the supply of sheriffs?

The sheriff industry is concentrated in California, Texas, New York

Sheriff job market by state

State Name Employed Sheriffs
California 73,000
Texas 63,380
New York 46,940
Florida 38,770
Illinois 31,430
Pennsylvania 27,460
Ohio 24,950
Georgia 23,730
North Carolina 23,370
New Jersey 19,580
Virginia 18,700
Massachusetts 17,750
Michigan 16,720
Puerto Rico 14,470
Missouri 12,950
Tennessee 12,890
Wisconsin 12,410
Indiana 11,920
South Carolina 11,890
Arizona 11,480
Louisiana 11,230
Alabama 10,420
Washington 9,610
Colorado 9,440
Minnesota 8,680
Oklahoma 7,640
Mississippi 7,520
Kentucky 7,520
Connecticut 6,820
Arkansas 6,080
Kansas 5,880
District of Columbia 5,140
Iowa 4,980
Nevada 4,740
New Mexico 4,540
Utah 4,410
West Virginia 3,800
Nebraska 3,390
New Hampshire 3,050
Hawaii 2,700
Idaho 2,470
Maine 2,120
Rhode Island 2,110
Delaware 1,840
South Dakota 1,750
North Dakota 1,640
Montana 1,600
Vermont 1,450
Wyoming 1,100
Alaska 1,070