How to become a state trooper in Connecticut
The Connecticut State Police (Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection) hires state troopers under the title Trooper (hired as Trooper Trainee). New state troopers start at $76,625 a year, rising to $119,023. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $76,625 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $119,023 |
| Scale effective | 2025-07-01 |
CSP compensation guidelines effective 07/01/2025: first-year salary $76,625; certified police officers (2+ years) $79,019; top step trooper (Step 8) $119,023. Salaries include a meal stipend per shift worked. Trainees are paid employees during the academy; a separate trainee rate is not listed. Step timing not stated.
Source:[beaconnecticuttrooper.com]
Pay for this work across Connecticut
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Connecticut, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 6,500 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $63,310 |
| Median pay | $82,170 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $102,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or GED by graduation from the academy
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient to enter the academy
- At least 21; no maximum age
- No felony or Class A or B misdemeanor convictions
- Valid Connecticut operator's license and Connecticut residency established before academy graduation
- Normal hearing, color vision, depth perception and binocular vision; corrected distance and near vision 20/30 in each eye
- Compliance with tattoo and body modification policy
Source:[beaconnecticuttrooper.com]
Hiring process
- Create PoliceApp account
- Submit application through PoliceApp
- Earn a CHIP card (physical fitness) and pass the CPCA written exam before the application period closes
- Polygraph
- Background investigation
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical evaluation with drug screen
- Job offer as Trooper Trainee; enter the Connecticut State Police Training Academy
Source:[beaconnecticuttrooper.com]
Entrance exam
Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) written examination. Fitness via CHIP card (sit-ups, 300-meter run, push-ups, 1.5-mile run) taken through certifyfit.com, valid 6 months.[beaconnecticuttrooper.com]
Academy
Length not published, paid. Academy is 'approximately six months long'. Recruits live at the academy during the week and may go home on weekends; trainees are paid employees during training.[portal.ct.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) Tier IV, hazardous duty (first state service on or after July 31, 2017)
- Benefit formula: Hazardous Duty Retirement: 2.5% x Average Salary x first 20 years of hazardous duty service, plus 2% x Average Salary x next 5 years, plus 2% x Average Salary x each year over 25; Average Salary = five highest-paid years (130% cap rule)
- When you can retire: Hazardous Duty Retirement after 25 years of state service in hazardous duty positions
Hazardous duty members contribute 8% of salary to SERS (5% standard + 3% hazardous duty) plus 1% to the Tier IV defined contribution plan.
Source:[osc.ct.gov]