How to become a state trooper in Louisiana
The Louisiana State Police hires state troopers under the title Trooper. New state troopers start at $57,680 a year, rising to $107,302 after about 20 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $57,680 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $107,302 |
| Years to top | 20 |
| Scale effective | 2024-01-08 |
State Police pay schedule P1 (Cadet, Trooper, Senior Trooper, Master Trooper), eff. Jan 8, 2024: cadet entrance $56,000 ($4,666/month during the academy); $57,680 upon academy graduation/POST certification; $59,410.40 after the Field Training Officer program; $61,192.71 after one year; 3% per step to $107,301.79 at step 20. Meals and lodging included for cadets.
Source:[lsp.org]
Pay for this work across Louisiana
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Louisiana, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 12,400 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $36,470 |
| Median pay | $48,380 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $69,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or equivalency PLUS one of: 60 semester hours from an accredited college/university; 2 years as a full-time POST Level 1 (or equivalent) certified peace officer; a 2-year combination of the two (30 semester hours = 1 year); or 3 years continuous active U.S. military duty
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- At least 21 years old at time of application
- Valid Louisiana driver's license at time of appointment
- Must read, write and speak English
- Physical examination, physical fitness test, drug screen and risk assessment
- Disqualified for pending felony charges, a felony conviction (until relief granted), or hit-and-run/DWI conviction within the past 3 years
Source:[lsp.org]
Hiring process
- Application to the Louisiana State Police Commission (LSPC)
- Entrance exam (pass/fail written assessment, online via ProctorU or in person)
- Availability update and Personal Data Questionnaire
- Physical Condition Assessment (push-ups, sit-ups, 1.5-mile run)
- Oral interview
- Background investigation and polygraph
- Selection board review
- Conditional offer of employment
- Medical, drug and psychological evaluation (plus repeat physical assessment)
- Final offer of employment
- Orientation
- Start of the academy
Source:[lsp.org]
Entrance exam
LSPC State Police Cadet entrance exam. Pass/fail written assessment administered by the Louisiana State Police Commission; retest no sooner than 30 days, max 3 tests in a rolling 12 months. LSPC publishes a Cadet test preparation manual.[lsp.org]
Academy
24 weeks, paid. Approximately 24 weeks; residential, cadets stay at the academy Sunday-Friday; length may vary around holidays. Cadets paid $4,666/month; meals and lodging included. Field Training Officer program follows.[lsp.org]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Louisiana State Police Retirement System (LSPRS)
- Benefit formula: 3.333% of final average salary per year of service; average compensation = highest 60 successive months
- When you can retire: Age 55 with 12 years (39.99%); any age with 25 years (83.33%) or 30 years (99.99%); any age with 20 years is actuarially reduced (no Back-DROP/IBO)
Per LSP salary & benefits page; LSPRS handbooks distinguish Old Plan and New Plan eligibility by hire date.
Source:[lsp.org]