How to become a state trooper in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts State Police hires state troopers under the title State Police Trooper. New state troopers start at $80,213 a year. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $80,213 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2024 |
MSP recruiting guide: 'As of 2024, the starting salary for State Troopers is $80,212.60', with a note that it is subject to change. Recruits at the academy are appointed as 'State Police Trainee'; trainee pay not stated on the official page. No official trooper step schedule found.
Source:[mass.gov]
Pay for this work across Massachusetts
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Massachusetts, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 17,040 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $61,160 |
| Median pay | $78,940 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $108,150 |
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 (equivalency approved by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen by the time of appointment to the Academy
- At least 19 by the exam date and 21 at appointment (minAge = age at appointment)
- Maximum age: 34 or younger by the last day of the application filing date
- Massachusetts resident and Massachusetts driver's license by the time of appointment to the Academy
- Vision: corrected distant acuity 20/30 each eye, at least 20/200 uncorrected each eye; 400 seconds stereopsis; red/green/amber color perception
- No felony, no M.G.L. c.94C drug conviction, no misdemeanor resulting in jail confinement (M.G.L. c.22C s.14)
- No tobacco use (M.G.L. c.22C s.10); no tattoos/brands on face, neck or hands except a commitment band
- One-year probation after graduation, including 3 months with a field training officer
Source:[mass.gov]
Hiring process
- Pass the Civil Service exam (placed on rank-ordered eligible list; veterans get +2 points)
- Physical Fitness Assessment (1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups)
- Medical and psychological assessment
- Background investigation
- Selection from the eligible list in rank order and appointment to the State Police Academy as State Police Trainee
- Graduate and be sworn in as Trooper by the Governor
Source:[mass.gov]
Entrance exam
Civil Service exam (State Police Trooper entrance exam, HRD Civil Service Unit). MSP participates in the Civil Service exam on a rotating basis; no unsolicited applications accepted.[mass.gov]
Academy
25 weeks, paid. Residential: recruits live at the Academy in New Braintree Monday-Friday and may go home on weekends. Recruits are appointed to the paid position of State Police Trainee.[mass.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Massachusetts State Employees' Retirement System (State Board of Retirement), Group 3 (state police)
- Benefit formula: Members joining on or after April 2, 2012: 50% of average annual regular compensation over the last 12 months, plus 1/12 of 2.5% for each full month of service over 20 years before age 55; capped at 75% of regular compensation; veterans +$15 per year of service (max $300)
- When you can retire: May elect to retire with at least 20 years of State Police service; mandatory retirement at age 65
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
M.G.L. c.32 s.26(3). Pre-4/2/2012 members get 60% plus 3%/year over 20.
Source:[mass.gov]