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Salary and benefits
Learn more about the generous compensation package for King County deputies.
Salary
The 2023 salary range for deputies is from $85,248.59 to $119,372.24. This is annually based on a 6-step system (initial hire rate + 5 increases based on hire date). These are the base rates for which premiums for education, longevity, and specialty assignments are awarded. Cost of living increases are made annually.
- Competitive wages, including special and duty pays
- Paid academy training
- Patrol premium
- Educational incentives for degrees held
- Longevity premiums for years of service
- Paid holidays
- Vacation days
- Sick leave
- Take-home car assigned immediately (laterals); upon completion of training (entry-level)
- Self-paced training program
- Years of law enforcement experience count toward eligibility for most specialty units for lateral hires
- King County provides all uniforms and most equipment
Entry-level
Hiring incentive pay: $7,500 for entries; receive $2,500 when you pass the academy and $5,000 when you pass probation, with a 3-year commitment.
Lateral
Hiring incentive pay: $15,000 for lateral candidates; receive $5,000 on your first paycheck and $10,000 when you pass probation, with a 3-year commitment.
Benefits
- 100% employer paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents
- Annual vacation: 0-5 years = 12 paid days; 6-8 years = 15 days; 9-10 = 16 days; 11-16 years = 20 days; 20- 25 years = an additional day per year; 26 years = 30 days
- 12 paid holidays
- 12 paid days of sick leave annually
- Liberal accrual of compensation time
- Patrol Longevity Pay: An additional 2% of base rate starting after 5 years, up to 16% of base rate after 25 years.
- Take-home car:
- Lateral hires receive a take-home car immediately; Entry-level, upon completion of training
- Potential annual savings in time, gas, insurance, maintenance, convenience, etc. of between $3000-$5000
- Education Incentive up to an additional 6% of base rate
- Deputies assigned to traffic, reactive and proactive patrol for at least one full month receive an additional 1% of base rate
- Numerous other premium pays for specialty units (e.g. Detective, K-9, TAC-30, Skin Diver, etc.) Years of law enforcement experience count toward eligibility for most specialty units for lateral hires
- Paid academy training
- Self-paced training program
- Basic life insurance for you and the eligible family members you enroll
- Basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for you
- King County provides all uniforms and most equipment, as well as a car per officer program
- You may purchase additional/enhanced life insurance for yourself. Employees also can participate in flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses. Other King County employee benefits include the home ownership, Making Life Easier, and mildly ill child care programs.
Retirement
As a King County Deputy, you become part of the Washington State Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters (LEOFF) Retirement System. You will be part of the group known as LEOFF 2.
As a county employee, you also have the option to participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, which is a voluntary retirement savings plan.