How to become a state trooper in Missouri
The Missouri State Highway Patrol hires state troopers under the title Probationary Trooper. New state troopers start at $73,824 a year, rising to $98,448. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $73,824 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $98,448 |
MSHP Salary and Benefits page: $73,824 upon Academy graduation (either track); current maximum trooper salary $98,448; 'Troopers are granted annual salary increases until reaching the current maximum.' Recruit (academy) pay: traditional track entry $66,432, accelerated track entry $67,488.
Source:[statepatrol.dps.mo.gov]
Pay for this work across Missouri
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Missouri, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 13,570 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $43,210 |
| Median pay | $59,460 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $90,770 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen when recruit training begins
- At least 21 upon graduation from the Academy (minAge = age at graduation); no maximum age stated
- Missouri resident when recruit training begins
- Valid Missouri driver license at the time of appointment
- No felony convictions, crimes of moral turpitude, pending indictments, or disqualifying misdemeanors (violence, weapons misuse, disregard for others' safety)
- No tattoos or brands on the head, neck, wrists, or hands (one band-style ring tattoo allowed)
- Accelerated academy is for candidates who already hold law enforcement certification and experience
Source:[statepatrol.dps.mo.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application and Personal History Statement; select a fitness-test date
- Physical Fitness Test (500-meter Concept2 row and 1.5-mile run, 40th-percentile average)
- Polygraph examination
- Background investigation
- Oral interview and background review (Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant panel)
- Conditional offer: psychological evaluation and interview, medical, vision/hearing, drug screen
- Final offer and fitness-test retake
- 25-week Training Academy or 15-week Accelerated Training Academy
Source:[statepatrol.dps.mo.gov]
Academy
25 weeks, paid. Traditional track 25 weeks at the Patrol Academy in Jefferson City; accelerated track 15 weeks for certified, experienced officers. Recruits are paid (traditional entry $66,432/yr). Residential status not stated on the pages opened.[statepatrol.dps.mo.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: MoDOT & Patrol Employees' Retirement System (MPERS), 2011 Tier (members hired on or after January 1, 2011)
- Benefit formula: 1.7% × final average pay (highest 36 consecutive months) × years of service = monthly benefit for life; plan also lists a 0.8% temporary benefit multiplier
- When you can retire: Uniformed members: age 55 with 5 years of service; mandatory retirement at 60; no early retirement
Source:[mpers.org]