How to become a state trooper in New York
The New York State Police hires state troopers under the title Trooper. New state troopers start at $82,608 a year, rising to $127,049. You must be at least 20.
Pay
| Starting salary | $82,608 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $127,049 |
Figures are NYSP 'Total Compensation' (base salary + expanded duty + hazardous duty pay), upstate column. Academy: $65,139 (up to $70,748, based on hiring date). Academy graduation $82,608; one year $109,620; five years $127,049 (highest stage listed, not necessarily the final step). Higher regional columns: Dutchess/Orange/Putnam $86,232 -> $130,929; NYC/Rockland/Westchester $91,191 -> $137,265; Nassau/Suffolk $92,341 -> $138,778 (graduation -> five years).
Source:[joinstatepolice.ny.gov]
Pay for this work across New York
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in New York, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 53,470 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $53,000 |
| Median pay | $92,790 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $118,250 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 20
- Education: High school or equivalency diploma to take the exam; college credits required for appointment to the Academy
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Must be 20-43 years old to take the exam and appointed before the 44th birthday
- Maximum age extended one year per year of full-time active military service, up to 7 years
- Each eye correctable to 20/30 at appointment
- Additional residential and educational requirements apply at appointment; tattoo/appearance standard
Source:[joinstatepolice.ny.gov]
Hiring process
- Entrance examination
- Physical Ability Test (PAT)
- Psychological evaluation
- Background investigation and polygraph test
- Medical examination
Source:[joinstatepolice.ny.gov]
Entrance exam
NYSP Trooper Entrance Exam. Two-hour, 150-question multiple-choice computer-based test delivered through Pearson VUE, measuring cognitive abilities, behavioral characteristics and attitudes. The 2026/2027 exam window runs Nov 16, 2026 - Nov 16, 2027 (max two attempts; $44 fee waived).[joinstatepolice.ny.gov]
Academy
28 weeks, paid.[joinstatepolice.ny.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS), State Police Plan (Section 381-b), Tier 6
- Benefit formula: 50% of final average earnings at 20 years, plus 1.66% of FAE for each year of creditable service beyond 20; capped at 70% of FAE (Tiers 2, 5 and 6)
- When you can retire: Any age after 20 full years of creditable service; mandatory retirement by the end of the year of the 60th birthday
NYSP salary page: 'option to retire at 20 years with 50% of salary.'
Source:[osc.ny.gov]