By: All Criminal Justice Schools Staff
Updated: January 2, 2026
Learn how to become a state trooper in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Pennsylvania is the sixth largest state employer of police and sheriff’s patrol officers in the U.S., with some 24,280 officers working in the combined forces. The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is the agency where state troopers work, but not a separate entity overseeing them—it is the organization state troopers are a part of. The Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police oversees the entire PSP, including all state troopers.
Some of the reasons Pennsylvania may rank so highly for police employment, including state troopers, are:
Coverage:
Pennsylvania’s unique approach allows municipalities to rely on the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) for local law enforcement without incurring additional costs. As a result, approximately 1,287 municipalities depend solely on the PSP, including state troopers, for policing services. This extensive responsibility necessitates a larger number of state troopers to effectively cover these areas.
Large state size and population:
With a population of 13 million and a diverse mix of urban and rural areas, Pennsylvania requires a substantial law enforcement presence to address varying needs across the state. The trooper’s role in patrolling vast rural regions, especially where local police departments may be absent, contributes to the higher employment figures.
Institutional factors:
Established in 1905, the PSP was created to provide a professional and centralized law enforcement body, replacing the fragmented private police forces of the time. This long-standing institution has evolved to become one of the largest accredited law enforcement agencies globally, with a comprehensive structure that includes various specialized bureaus and divisions.
Here are the education and training steps you’ll need to take in order to join state troopers in Pennsylvania.
In this article
Requirements for state troopers in Pennsylvania
To become a state trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and successfully complete a multi-step selection process.
Basic eligibility requirements
- Age: Should be at least 20 years old at the time of application, and at least 21 years old and not have reached their 40th birthday upon appointment to the training academy at time of applying.
- Education: Hold a high school diploma or GED. As of 2023, the previous requirement of 60 college credits was removed to broaden the applicant pool.
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
- Driver’s license: Possess a valid driver’s license from any state upon appointment.
- Residency: Become a Pennsylvania resident and obtain a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license by the time of graduation from the academy.
Preferred experience requirements
While the basic eligibility requirements are the minimum needed to apply, there are preferred qualifications that can make an applicant more competitive for a Pennsylvania State Trooper position.
Here are some preferred or advantageous qualifications:
- Higher education: Although the 60 college credit requirement was removed, having an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration or psychology may be helpful. Additionally, specialized certifications in forensic science, cybercrime or crisis negotiation may boost your application.
- Prior law enforcement or military experience: Veterans, reservists or individuals with prior experience in law enforcement may be seen as strong candidates. Military police or security forces experience may be especially relevant.
- Bilingual or multilingual skills: Being fluent in Spanish or other high-need languages, such as Mandarin, Arabic or American Sign Language, may be an asset in diverse communities across the state.
- Physical fitness: While all applicants must pass the fitness test, those who exceed standards in running, push-ups and core strength may stand out. The PSP values discipline and endurance, so a demonstrated fitness background in athletics, CrossFit or martial arts may help.
- Clean background and strong character references: A spotless legal record, good credit history and strong references from respected community members, such as teachers, military officers and previous employers, may give applicants a positive edge during the background investigation.
Physical fitness requirements
To be eligible for appointment to the PSP training academy, applicants must pass a Physical Readiness Test (PRT) consisting of the following components:
- 300-meter run: Measures anaerobic capacity.
- Push-ups: Assesses upper body muscular endurance.
- 1.5-mile run: Evaluates cardiovascular endurance.
The specific standards vary based on age and gender. Applicants must pass all three events to be admitted to the academy.
What may disqualify you
- Falsification or misrepresentation of information during the application process.
- Substance abuse beyond what is considered experimental.
- Criminal arrests or behavior that reflects poorly on the Pennsylvania State Police.
Education requirements
While the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) no longer require applicants to have 60 college credits, possessing certain educational backgrounds may still enhance a candidate’s competitiveness:
- Higher education degrees: Holding an associate or bachelor’s degree, particularly in fields like criminal justice, public administration or psychology, may demonstrate a strong foundation relevant to law enforcement duties.
- Law enforcement or military experience: Previous experience in law enforcement or military service may provide practical skills and discipline valued by the PSP.
- Specialized certifications: Certifications in areas such as forensic science, cybercrime or crisis negotiation may showcase specialized expertise.
- Multilingual abilities: Being fluent in languages other than English may be beneficial in serving diverse communities.
Additionally, the PSP has partnered with Commonwealth University to offer college credits to cadets upon completion of the training academy. These credits can be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, providing further educational advancement opportunities.
Differences between PA law enforcement officers
Since law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania perform different duties in different jurisdictions, it’s important to understand the basic differences between them. Here’s a comparison chart that breaks down police officers, sheriff’s patrol officers and state troopers in Pennsylvania:
State troopers/PSP:
Jurisdiction: Entire state, especially areas without local police
Main duties: Highway patrol, criminal investigations, assisting local agencies and statewide law enforcement
Reports to: Commissioner of PSP under the Governor
Notable: Approximately 1,287 municipalities in Pennsylvania rely solely on PSP for police services as they have no local police force
Municipal police officers:
Employer: City or municipal government
Main duties: Enforce local laws, respond to emergencies, patrol neighborhoods and investigate crimes
Reports to: Police Chief, who reports to Mayor or City Council
Notable: Each municipality can choose to operate its own department or rely on PSP
Sheriff’s patrol officers:
Jurisdiction: County level (mainly court and civil process)
Main duties: Courtroom security, prisoner transport, civil process such as warrants and subpoenas and some patrol duties
Reports to: Elected County Sheriff
Notable: Sheriffs are elected officials in PA and not all carry out general policing duties
Next steps after applying
Once you complete the application and required forms, here’s what you can expect next:
Written exam
- Assesses knowledge and aptitude relevant to law enforcement duties.
Polygraph test
- Evaluates the truthfulness of the applicant.
Background investigation
- Passes a thorough review of the applicant’s personal, educational and professional history.
Physical fitness assessment
- While at the PSP Academy, cadets are required to maintain and improve their physical fitness. Cadets must meet or exceed these standards to graduate from the academy and the graduation standards are more rigorous than eligibility requirements and may include:
- Vertical jump: Minimum of 18 inches (3 attempts)
- One repetition maximum bench press: 85% of body weight
- Agility run: Complete in 19.5 seconds (2 attempts)
- 300-meter run: Complete in 65 seconds
- Push-ups: 30 repetitions (no time limit)
- 1.5-mile run: Complete in 14 minutes, 50 seconds
Medical and psychological evaluation
- Ensures the applicant meets health and psychological standards required for the role.
Once you successfully complete all of the above steps, applicants undergo approximately 27 weeks of intensive training at the PSP Academy.
What happens at the PSP Academy?
Successful applicants attend a 27-week paramilitary-style training program at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. The training covers Pennsylvania’s crimes and vehicle codes, law enforcement principles and practices, firearms and special equipment training and physical fitness.
Academic instruction
Cadets engage in extensive classroom learning. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass all academic courses. Classes include:
- Pennsylvania crimes and vehicle codes
- Criminal and case law
- Crisis intervention and mental health
- Investigative techniques
- Report writing and court testimony
Tactical and physical training
Cadets must achieve a passing score of 80% in the American Red Cross First Aid and CPR courses.
- Officer safety and survival: Preparing for high-risk situations
- Firearms proficiency: Training in the use of department-issued weapons
- Defensive tactics: Instruction in handcuffing, self-defense and control techniques
- Vehicle operations: Learning safe and effective driving practices
- Physical fitness: Maintaining and enhancing physical conditioning.
Physical fitness standards
Cadets are required to meet the specific physical benchmarks outlined above and failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the academy.
Paramilitary environment
The academy operates under strict discipline, requiring cadets to:
- Adhere to military courtesy and observe formal protocols and respect.
- Maintain personal appearance by ensuring uniforms and grooming meet set standards.
- Participate in facility maintenance and assist with the upkeep of academy grounds and equipment.
- Undergo regular inspections and be subject to evaluations of quarters and personal conduct.
- Submit to unannounced drug screenings to ensure a drug-free environment.
- Be responsible for duties such as kitchen service and staffing the communications desk.
What happens after graduation?
Upon successful completion of the program:
- Earn a promotion: Cadets are elevated to the rank of Pennsylvania State Trooper.
- Enter a probationary period: An 18-month period begins, during which troopers are evaluated on performance and conduct.
Advancing in your state trooper career
Advancing in a Pennsylvania State Trooper career involves a combination of experience, strong performance, competitive testing and specialized training. Here’s how a trooper can move up through the ranks and expand their profile:
Time in service and performance
Advancement starts with consistent, high-quality work as a trooper. Troopers are evaluated during and after their 18-month probationary period. Good conduct, physical fitness and commendations may help build a strong reputation.
Promotion through the ranks
Promotions are typically earned by written exam, oral board interviews and supervisory recommendations. Testing for promotions is held periodically and posted on internal bulletins. The Pennsylvania rank structure includes:
| Promotions ladder | Path |
|---|---|
| Trooper | Entry-level rank post-academy |
| Corporal | First supervisory level and requires an exam |
| Sergeant | Manages teams or patrol units |
| Lieutenant | Oversees stations or sections |
| Captain | Commands troop or larger divisions |
| Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel | Executive roles (Colonel is the Commissioner, appointed by the Governor) |
Specialized assignments
Troopers can also grow their careers by applying for specialized units, such as:
- Criminal investigations
- K-9 unit
- Aviation unit
- Emergency Response Team (ERT)
- Forensics or collision analysis
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
- Firearms or academy instructor
Being selected for a specialty often depends on seniority, strong evaluations and sometimes an internal application process.
Lateral or civilian advancement opportunities
Troopers may apply for civilian leadership positions within PSP, or pursue state or federal roles. Retired PSP troopers may transition into roles such as:
- Homeland security
- Federal agencies such as the FBI or ATF
- Private security management
- Law enforcement training
Continuing education and leadership training
- Some promotions may favor or require continued education, even though not mandatory.
- PSP encourages troopers to pursue college degrees or attend leadership programs such as the FBI National Academy.
Pennsylvania state trooper salaries and job outlook
The annual median wage of state troopers in Pennsylvania may not be as high as other states, according to the BLS, but the Pennsylvania’s cost of living is also lower than those states—and the national average. Take a look at median salaries for Pennsylvania-based police and sheriff’s officers:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
10%$50,070
25%$64,230
50%$86,350Median
75%$97,840
90%$112,380
Median Hourly Wage$42
Job growth3.1%
Total Employment24,280
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $94,290 | $43,430 | $108,730 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $91,150 | $52,930 | $117,600 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $90,640 | $54,820 | $121,900 |
| Lancaster, PA | $88,870 | $50,110 | $108,530 |
| Reading, PA | $87,930 | $57,140 | $114,270 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $86,060 | $53,200 | $105,660 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $85,320 | $48,550 | $112,620 |
| State College, PA | $84,510 | $46,700 | $110,160 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $82,270 | $50,220 | $109,090 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $82,050 | $56,600 | $104,530 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Job outlook for Pennsylvania troopers
The job growth outlook for state troopers in Pennsylvania is slightly higher than the national average for growth, said O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS. While the national job growth rate for police and sheriff’s patrol officers is 3.1% through 2034, O*Net reported a 5% projected growth through 2030 for Pennsylvania, adding an additional 2,350 officers to the field during that time.
Guides to becoming a state trooper
Take a look at the steps you’ll need to take to become a state trooper in other states: