ORLANDO, Fla. – As Central Florida continues to grow, there is a rising demand for more police officers and sheriff’s deputies, according to local law enforcement authorities.
Seminole County’s sheriff is asking the county for more money in his proposed budget for next year, and he is not the only one.
In Brevard County, Sheriff Wayne Ivey, as reported by Florida Today, is requesting an 8.58% budget increase. He highlights that the agency faces challenges in retaining staff, as deputies are experiencing burnout from covering service deficiencies.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office also informs News 6 that it plans to propose an increase in starting pay for deputies from $56,000 to $62,000 in the forthcoming budget.
“This will allow us to attract the most qualified applicants and then retain them once they are hired. Our current starting salary is way behind other agencies not only in Central Florida, but some right here in our own county,” spokesperson Capt. John Herrell said.
News 6 reached out to county sheriff’s offices to ask how much they pay deputies, and whether any of them are asking for more money to recruit and retain deputies.
Based on the data, the average starting pay in Central Florida right now is just under $57,000 a year.
In addition, Florida offers a $5,000 hiring bonus through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program, which is meant to recruit new officers in the state and lure out-of-state officers to Florida.
Information on the hiring bonus is on the Florida Commerce website.
Brevard County
According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office website, a deputy can make $54,808 in their first year. Fifth-year deputies can make $59,342, and 10th-year deputies can make $65,582.
A Brevard County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said that if its proposed budget is approved, starting pay for 2026 would increase to $58,115.
BCSO currently has 35 sworn officer vacancies.
Flagler County
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office website, starting salary for a law enforcement deputy is $61,967.86, which includes built-in overtime and holiday pay.
Lake County
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office website takes you to a listing on the jobs site Indeed.com. That listing says starting pay for a deputy sheriff is $56,000 a year.
Marion County
A listing for Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy on the website Government Jobs.com shows starting pay at $60,000.
More information on qualifications and benefits can be found on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office website.
Orange County
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office website, base salary starts at $62,566, maxing out at $100,0879.
The county also offers several allowances, incentives and bonuses that can raise first-year pay.
Osceola County
According to the Osceola County website, starting pay for sheriff’s deputies with less than two years’ experience is $23.08 an hour, at around $48,000 a year.
For deputies with 10+ years of experience, starting pay is $53,218.46.
Polk County
According to a job listing on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office website, minimum salary for a deputy is $62,993.01, and the maximum salary is $80,144.90.
The agency also offers a sign-on bonus and a moving allowance. Details are on the sheriff’s office website.
Seminole County
According to a listing on Government Jobs.com, starting pay for a sheriff’s deputy is $58,024, with a hiring incentive of $15,000, spread out over four years.
Information on benefits and recruitment is on the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office website.
Sumter County
According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, starting pay is $57,000 for deputies. There is a job listing on the SCSO website.
Volusia County
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office website, the starting salary for a sheriff’s deputy is $54,578.08. A lieutenant can make $101,000, and a division chief can make $137,394.54.
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