Updated 2026-10-02
Police departments in Washington that don't require college
49 of the 52 Washington departments that state an education requirement ask only for a high school diploma or GED. They have 129 openings between them, and median starting pay among them is $90,348, against $88,785 for all Washington departments with published pay. Each row quotes the posting.
Departments
49
of 52 stating a requirementMedian starting pay
$90,348
Washington overall $88,785Open jobs
129
across 49 departmentsEvery Washington department, by starting pay
Highest first| Department | Area | Starting pay | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Redmond PD “Must have high school diploma or GED certificate.” | $110,435 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 2. Auburn PD “Possess a High School Diploma, or equivalent (GED)” | $108,386 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 3. Everett PD “Requires high school graduation or equivalent.” | $102,516 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 4. Lynnwood PD “Applicants must have a High School Diploma or certified G.E.D. Equivalent” | $102,294 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 5. Tukwila PD “High school diploma or equivalent and completion of a recognized police training academy or equivalent courses necessary to allow certification with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC)” | $101,064 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 6. Bothell PD “High school graduate with an Associate degree in Law Enforcement preferred.” | $101,055 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 7. Bellevue PD “Must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent education.” | $100,260 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 8. Kennewick PD “High School graduate or GED” | $100,108 | Hiring · 1 | ||
| 9. Tacoma PD “You must possess a high school diploma or GED” | $98,571 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 10. Renton PD “High school degree or a GED.” | $97,692 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 11. Richland PD “High school diploma or equivalent” | $96,782 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 12. Kirkland PD “Must possess the ability to read, write and speak fluent English” | $96,731 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 13. Lacey PD “H.S. Diploma or G.E.D. AND have a combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required.” | $96,538 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 14. Bonney Lake PD “High school diploma or equivalent” | $96,288 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 15. Bremerton PD “High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED) is required.” | $96,236 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 16. King County Sheriff “You must have a high school degree or a GED.” | $95,909 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 17. Seattle PD “High school diploma or GED.” | $95,098 | Hiring · 4 | ||
| 18. Pasco PD “High school diploma or G.E.D” | $94,806 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 19. Lake Stevens PD “High School Diploma or equivalent (e.g., G.E.D.)” | $94,065 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 20. Longview PD “Incumbents must have a High School Diploma or equivalent” | $93,612 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 21. Pierce County Sheriff “High School diploma or G.E.D. certificate.” | $93,517 | Hiring · 4 | ||
| 22. Monroe PD “High School diploma or GED required.” | $92,136 | Hiring · 1 | ||
| 23. Port Orchard PD “High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.” | $90,813 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 24. Arlington PD “High School Diploma or GED.” | $90,624 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 25. Lake Forest Park PD “High school diploma or equivalent.” | $90,348 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 26. Lakewood PD “Requires high school graduation or equivalent.” | $89,064 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 27. Sumner PD “Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.” | $88,566 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 28. Mercer Island PD “Must have a high school diploma or GED.” | $88,483 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 29. Federal Way PD “Requires high school graduation or the equivalent.” | $88,308 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 30. Lynden PD “High school diploma or equivalent (GED).” | $87,348 | Hiring · 1 | ||
| 31. Bainbridge Island PD “Graduation from high school or equivalent is required.” | $87,036 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 32. Thurston County Sheriff “High School Diploma or GED” | $86,544 | Hiring · 9 | ||
| 33. Mill Creek PD “High school diploma or GED.” | $86,376 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 34. Whatcom County Sheriff “High school diploma or GED” | $85,509 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 35. Marysville PD “High school diploma or GED certificate is required.” | $85,068 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 36. Tumwater PD “Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.” | $84,612 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 37. Bellingham PD “High School Diploma or equivalent, AND” | $84,264 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 38. Clallam County Sheriff “Must have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.” | $81,829 | Hiring · 4 | ||
| 39. Shelton PD “High School Diploma or have a GED.” | $81,621 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 40. Mukilteo PD “Must possess at least a high school diploma or G.E.D.” | $81,544 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 41. Dupont PD “Graduation from high school or GED” | $81,136 | Hiring · 1 | ||
| 42. Lewis County Sheriff “High school graduate or GED.” | $80,964 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 43. Duvall PD “High school diploma or GED.” | $80,371 | Hiring · 3 | ||
| 44. Snohomish County Sheriff “Must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.” | $74,749 | Hiring · 7 | ||
| 45. Toppenish PD “High School Diploma or its equivalent” | $72,504 | Hiring · 1 | ||
| 46. Island County Sheriff “Be a high school graduate or possess GED certification.” | $71,739 | Hiring · 4 | ||
| 47. Washington State Patrol “Possess a high school diploma from a state sanctioned and recognized school, GED, or associates or higher from an accredited college.” | $71,408 | Hiring · 2 | ||
| 48. Oak Harbor PD “A high school diploma or GED equivalent.” | $69,168 | Hiring · 1 | ||
| 49. Spokane PD “Completion of high school or equivalent.” | $69,077 | Hiring · 3 |
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