There are currently an estimated 684,000 sheriffs in the United States. The sheriff job market is expected to grow by 3.3% between 2022 and 2032.
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 27,200 sheriffs. That number is based on 22,500 additional sheriffs, and the retirement of 4,700 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 | 65,940 |
| Texas | 63,100 |
| New York | 53,470 |
| Florida | 43,630 |
| Illinois | 29,180 |
| Pennsylvania | 26,510 |
| Ohio | 23,430 |
| North Carolina | 22,370 |
| Georgia | 22,170 |
| New Jersey | 21,780 |
| Virginia | 19,970 |
| Massachusetts | 17,040 |
| Michigan | 16,750 |
| Tennessee | 15,630 |
| Missouri | 13,570 |
| Indiana | 12,980 |
| South Carolina | 12,930 |
| Louisiana | 12,400 |
| Wisconsin | 12,320 |
| Arizona | 12,010 |
| Alabama | 11,710 |
| Maryland | 9,720 |
| Oklahoma | 9,660 |
| Colorado | 9,610 |
| Minnesota | 9,160 |
| Washington | 9,160 |
| Mississippi | 8,070 |
| Kentucky | 7,890 |
| Connecticut | 6,500 |
| Kansas | 6,130 |
| Nevada | 5,720 |
| Arkansas | 5,710 |
| Utah | 5,500 |
| Iowa | 5,130 |
| Oregon | 5,030 |
| District of Columbia | 4,720 |
| New Mexico | 4,580 |
| Nebraska | 3,490 |
| West Virginia | 2,900 |
| Idaho | 2,810 |
| New Hampshire | 2,460 |
| Hawaii | 2,420 |
| Montana | 2,160 |
| Maine | 2,120 |
| South Dakota | 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1,940 |
| Delaware | 1,800 |
| North Dakota | 1,630 |
| Wyoming | 1,310 |
| Alaska | 1,260 |
| Vermont | 1,020 |