You just need to be a HS graduate, maybe even just a GED, to be a cop. I doubt 45k is the median for hs grads.That's not an apples to apples comparison. You don't get a teaching job or a police job simply by walking in and filling out an application like you do at Walmart or the millions of call centers in draper or Lehi. Typically, teachers and officers in Utah are required to have diplomas and certifications/training/licenses. Im sure there are alt routes. But for the most part it's a bachelor's and teaching license.
Hence, why a more accurate comparison would be comparing teacher/police officer salaries with those with bachelor's. Again, avg starting teaching salary is about $30k per year. Very comparable to that of police officers.
Avg starting salary with the same level of education is $45k in Utah. So educators and police officers start out making $10-15k less.
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