Career Information Archives

CHP Careers for Military Veterans

January 17, 2024

More than just a job, serving in the military requires a disciplined lifestyle with a particular mindset. Although adjusting to civilian life can pose a significant challenge, that same mindset and discipline also make CHP careers an excellent fit for the military.

Deciding Your Next Steps

Some veterans leaving military service have no plan of action. Because of that, they may face enormous challenges adapting to civilian life and securing jobs after the military. Many veterans have no experience looking, applying, or even interviewing for a civilian job if they entered service right after high school.

You may feel uncertain about how to proceed, but that doesn’t mean your options for a second career are limited. Civilian law enforcement jobs are the types of careers where your service experience is valued the most.

Law Enforcement Offers a Natural Transition

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 25% of those succeeding in law enforcement officer jobs have a military background – mostly due to how much these careers complement each other. The structure of law enforcement is very similar to the military. Growth in law enforcement requires many of the same personal traits that make an individual successful in the military.

State and local governments are seeking experienced veterans with passion and purpose to help raise the bar of their police departments. Veterans are among the most sought-after candidates for law enforcement positions because they exemplify honor, courage, and integrity; all qualities that produce the finest officers.

The CHP Advantage

The California Highway Patrol is among the most highly-respected government law enforcement agencies in the world. You can have a fulfilling second career, earn a good salary with paid training, medical, dental, and vision benefits for the entire family; and up to 90 percent retirement based on years of service and age. Most especially, it offers you the chance to continue being a force for good in your community.

Veteran’s Preference Program

As a veteran, you may qualify for the Veterans’ Preference Program. It benefits anyone who has served in the United States Armed Forces as defined in Government Code Section 18540 and qualifies as a veteran. Once your application is approved by the California Department of Human Resources, and you achieve a passing score in an entrance examination, you’ll be ranked at the top of the resulting eligibility list.

How do I apply for Veterans’ Preference?

To apply for Veterans’ Preference, the following documents must be submitted:

Veteran’s Preference Application Form (CALHR 1093)
Legible copy of DD214, request for documents can be found here

If you are still on active duty and within six months of separation, you’ll need to apply for Provisional Veteran’s Preference and submit the following:

Veteran’s Preference Application Form (CALHR 1093)
Provisional Transitional Waiver form, (CALHR 1094), that can be obtained by having your transition counselor call the California Highway Patrol HQ Recruitment Unit at 916-843-3275. The CHP recruitment unit will send the form directly to your counselor via email. This form must be completed by your Company Commander verifying you will be discharged from service within the six-month frame.

In order to be eligible for Veteran’s Preference or Provisional Veteran’s Preference, the CALHR 1093, CALHR 1094 and all supporting documentation must be submitted and processed by CALHR prior to your scheduled Physical Abilities Test (PAT).

Please submit all completed copies of the CALHR 1093 and or the CALHR 1094 form along with all required supporting documents by mail to:

California Department of Human Resources
ATTN: Examination Unit
1515 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

Once CalHR has approved your application for Veterans’ Preference, your information will remain on file for all future qualifying examinations. You can also receive eight years of list eligibility if you are 35 years old or younger on the filing date, complete the physical and written tests with passing scores, and notify the Cadet Hiring Unit of your intentions.

For any questions regarding Veteran’s Preference, contact the CALHR Examination Unit at (866) 844-8671.

You’ll Be Paid as a Cadet and Can Receive G.I. Benefits

Even as a cadet at the CHP Academy you will be well paid, get free room and board, as well as full health and dental benefits for yourself and your family. Through the G.I. Bill®, you may be eligible to receive $392-$2,100 a month as well. You’ll need to confirm your benefits as it’s not the same for all veterans.

You can also remain on Active Reserve and keep your pay and job if you get called to serve. Once you graduate from the CHP Academy, you’re automatically promoted to the position of CHP officer.

Earn $117K+ as an Officer

The average starting pay as an officer is more than $117,000, making it one of the highest-paying law enforcement jobs in the nation. There are even opportunities for specialty pay incentives for things like being bilingual or serving as a motorcycle officer, K-9 officer, pilot, on the SWAT team, and more.

Join the CHP 1000

The CHP utilizes the same discipline, integrity, skills and personal responsibility you learned while serving. You can continue to provide safety, service and security to all citizens and visitors of California while having the flexibility of choosing your path and location.

Be a part of the CHP 1000, the more than 1000 new officers ready to make a difference. Explore CHP career opportunities and contact a recruiter to start your second career that will not only support your adjustment to civilian life, but give you your best chance at a very rewarding future.

Consider a CHP Career Change

January 17, 2024

More than half of U.S. workers are unhappy in their jobs. That’s because most of us don’t want just a job. We want a career that makes an impact we can be proud of. We want to feel that our contribution has value for us and others. Yet, turning an inherent desire to make a positive difference in the world into a successful occupation can feel harder than it should be. The change to a CHP career is likely far easier than you realize.

You Definitely Have What It Takes

You have strong leadership skills, an intuitive nature, a passion for the job, a commitment to see things through, and you know how to communicate well. However, not all jobs come with the career advancement or the pay and benefits that you deserve. Plus, not all jobs come with opportunities to relocate or change the pace of your workday.

A CHP Career Is Still Within Reach

The good news – it’s never too late to make a change. Plus, there are more ways to serve than ever, likely far more than you realize. A career in the CHP is a logical choice that combines an opportunity to make a living with the chance to enhance the lives of others. Along with excellent pay and benefits, it is rewarding in ways other careers could never be.

Benefits of a CHP Career

Law enforcement careers offer purpose, a chance to be a valued and respected member of a tight-knit team. With a career in the CHP, you can carry out your pursuit of public service and still enjoy endless opportunities to make a difference right in your own community.

The California Highway Patrol is among the top law enforcement agencies in the world and offers opportunities to do all of that and more. As a CHP officer, you can make a difference in your community while still earning a comfortable income and the opportunity to grow.

The CHP offers many different career paths to suit your passion in life and one of the best compensation packages in the state, including comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage for officers and their family. Not to mention, you’ll also receive paid training and an $117K+ average starting salary. That doesn’t even account for specialty pay incentives for things like having a degree or speaking a second language.

There Are a Wide Variety of CHP Positions

As an officer, you might work directly in communities or on the highway. You could also serve as a K-9 officer, in the air as a pilot or crew member, on motorcycles, with the SWAT Team, or on a bike in Downtown Sacramento.

The front lines are just one of the places to serve in the CHP. You could also work on big rigs at the Commercial Operations Unit, as a technician or investigator on the Hazardous Device Detail (aka the bomb squad), or as a background investigator, checking out potential new applicants. There are also officers who offer Dignitary Protection in both Los Angeles and Sacramento, and others that work on the Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team throughout the state.

Teachers may find a natural transition into a role as a Field Training Officer preparing CHP Academy graduates for the field or as an Academy Instructor training new recruits in the CHP Academy. There’s also a place for those with an automotive or mechanic background, preparing and maintaining the CHP’s fleet.

Check Out Your Options With the CHP

The CHP family comes from many walks of life, but there is one thing they all have in common – they want to make a positive difference.

At the CHP, you can finally do what makes you feel fulfilled without feeling like you’ve reached a roadblock, and that is the definition of a fulfilling career. It’s arriving home knowing that what you did that day truly made a difference for others. It’s a rare sense of satisfaction that’s uniquely rewarding.

Be a part of the CHP 1000, the more than 1000 new officers ready to contribute to their communities. Explore CHP careers and contact a recruiter to jump on career advancement opportunities that will give you more than what you’re looking for.

Pay Off Student Loans Faster with a CHP Career

January 17, 2024

Student loans can be staggering. Paying them off is a tremendous burden far too many college grads face. That’s why finding a faster way to pay them off – like with the high-paying starting salary CHP careers bring – is such a profound relief.

Research shows the average bachelor’s degree in California costs $58,352, but could cost as much as $242,000 depending on the college you attended. Very few students can foot that bill entirely without going into debt. Moreover, very few careers set you on the path to being free from that debt as quickly as the $117K starting salary you’ll get with CHP careers.

It’s something you’ll want to consider when choosing both your career and your college path. If like many people you’re counting on a career to pay off your student loans and provide plenty to live on, there are a few things to consider.

Calculate the Potential for Growth

You may think a college degree will pay for itself once you get your foot in the door at a new job. Reality may tell a different tale. It can take much longer than you expected after college to move into a higher-paying position, all while the interest on your student loan grows. Deferment is only good for about six months and the less you pay on your loans, the longer it will take to pay off.

Don’t Expect to Take Home the Full Salary

The average starting salary for recent grads is $56,000, about $30,000 shy of the $84,000 college students expect to make, according to a recent report. After pay deductions and student loan payments, you may find that you are living on less than half of that.

Explore All Your Career Options

A college degree can be an advantage in a lot of different careers, even if you don’t end up working in the field you studied. It’s a possibility you should keep in mind as you may have far more opportunities available to you than you realized.

One out of five college graduates end up in a career that has nothing to do with their field of study. That doesn’t mean your experience in college will go to waste. That is an incredibly valuable time in your life. A time when you mature, grow intellectually and socially, and begin to see the world is much bigger than yourself.

Consider the Advantage of a CHP Career

A CHP career would allow you to do more with your life, be a force for good in your community, and give you a comfortable income and the opportunity to pay off student loans fast. Joining the California Highway Patrol can supply all of the above with a $117K starting salary. And that doesn’t even account for specialty pay incentives for things like having a degree or speaking another language.

Not only is a CHP career one of the top-paying law enforcement careers in the country, but you’d also receive medical, dental, and vision benefits for your entire family; plus up to 90 percent retirement based on years of service and age. Even as a cadet at the CHP Academy you will be well-paid, get free room and board, as well as full health and dental benefits for yourself and your family.

In a CHP career, there are far more ways to serve than you likely realize. You could serve as:

An officer in your community or on the highway
A K9 officer with a trusted, trained dog as your partner
In the air as a pilot or crew member
On motorcycles around the state
With the SWAT Team
On a bike in Downtown Sacramento
Offering Dignitary Protection in both Los Angeles and Sacramento
On the Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team throughout the state

You may not serve as an officer at all. There are several essential roles supporting the front line in the CHP. You could serve:

On big rigs at the Commercial Operations Unit
As a technician or investigator on the Hazardous Device Detail (aka the bomb squad)
As a background investigator, checking out potential new applicants
As a Field Training Officer preparing CHP Academy graduates for the field
As an Academy Instructor training new recruits in the CHP Academy
As a mechanic preparing and maintaining the CHP’s fleet

Be a part of the CHP 1000, the more than 1000 new officers ready to contribute to the greater good. Explore CHP career opportunities and contact a recruiter to start a secure career that will yield a far better life than you thought possible.

Overcome a Challenging Job Market with a CHP Career

January 17, 2024

It seems the world has been changing faster than ever and it appears the job market has followed suit. The unemployment rate rose to 3.8% in July 2023 with the number of unemployed persons increasing to 6.4 million. It’s left many on the lookout for employment or an opportunity to improve their current situation. A CHP career can offer you the security you seek in riding out these turbulent times.

It’s never too late to make a change. Even though it may not seem like it, it’s likely the perfect time to think about what you want to do with your life and to take the time to find the right career that truly suits you.

You’ll find a wide variety of career options in the CHP. In addition to serving as an officer, there are many behind-the-scenes positions to consider ranging from working as a K9 officer to flying high as a pilot and from servicing the fleet of CHP vehicles to conducting background investigations on new recruits. There are likely far more options among the many CHP careers than you realized.

As you prepare to make that job change, here are a couple of ideas to help you find the right job for you.

Consider the Statistics

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed people went from 1.4 million to 7.1 million from mid-March to the beginning of April. As businesses have been forced to close due to the pandemic, at least 26 million Americans filed for unemployment aid at that time. More recently unemployment rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels, rounding out at 5.9 million unemployed people in the 4^th quarter of 2022.

Although unemployment numbers have improved, 5.9 million is still a significant number of people to be contending with in the job market. As the market continues to fluctuate, career paths addressing essential needs like medicine and law enforcement stand the best chance of weathering any future storms.

That’s good news for those seeking those career paths as there will always be a demand for professionals who protect and contribute to their communities.

Law enforcement job opportunities at the California Highway Patrol are growing. In fact, the CHP is currently looking to fill 1000 positions. The opportunity is the best it’s ever been for you to successfully start a rewarding CHP career and finally settle into a career you love.

Consider the Rewards

Switching careers doesn’t have to come at great sacrifice. In fact, switching to a CHP career can be both personally satisfying and financially rewarding. In the CHP, you’d likely be doing something that’s more meaningful and devoting yourself to a purpose you can feel good about.

Financially speaking, the starting salary for an officer is $117K, making it one of the top-paying law enforcement jobs in the nation. You’d also receive medical, dental, and vision benefits for your entire family and up to 90 percent retirement based on years of service and age.

You’ll also receive paid training that will prepare you to start your CHP career at the world-renowned CHP Academy. At the CHP Academy, you will be provided with free room and board and be paid during training. If you’re a veteran, you may also be eligible for additional benefits through the G.I. Bill.

Launch Your CHP Career

By the way, you don’t have to feel like you’re “wasting” your college degree. One out of five college graduates end up in a career that has nothing to do with their field of study. So, you’re not alone.

In a CHP career, your college degree is valued and can even earn you additional specialty pay. You can also receive specialty pay if you speak a second language.

Find Your Purpose with a CHP Career

January 17, 2024

Working towards a greater purpose can bring great rewards.

One of the many advantages a CHP career could bring is the fulfilling feeling of contributing to the greater good. That can be hard to find in this job market and is one of the many reasons 85% of people are dissatisfied with their jobs worldwide.

Another strong reason is that most people don’t think they’re making what they’re worth or being compensated enough for the job they do. Some companies even try to cut costs by reducing benefits and in these uncertain times that becomes a critical challenge for many. It’s reassuring to know that there are several options when it comes to CHP careers and they all come with full benefits and excellent pay.

The work environment can also greatly contribute to frustration. Employees want the ability to change up the scenery once in a while and escape the monotony. If you find yourself a part of this statistic, you may also find yourself afraid to make a career change. Is it too late? Will it mean all the time and effort that went into your current role was a waste?

The answer is no when you consider a new CHP career.

The Advantage of a CHP Career

The California Highway Patrol is always on the lookout for candidates who are ready to serve the greater good. They deeply value your life, and work experience. Moreover, the CHP offers world-class paid training at the CHP Academy that will give you everything you need to start your career in law enforcement, so you won’t have to feel like you’re starting from scratch. Below are a few important things to consider when making a much-needed career change:

Earn $190K+ Annually

CHP careers offer an average starting salary of $117,000 annually. That doesn’t even account for specialty pay incentives for things like having a degree or speaking another language. You can focus on what truly matters without worrying about ways to provide for yourself and your family.

Full Benefits For Your & Your Family

CHP careers have one of the best compensation packages in the state, including comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage for officers and their families. These benefits are effective on the same day you start at the CHP Academy. You even get free room and board while you train.

Work Almost Anywhere in California

The CHP is the largest state police agency in the United States with eight field Divisions and 140 area locations statewide. As personal or family needs change, it is possible for an officer to transfer to work somewhere else in California. In other words, you won’t have to spend your whole career working in the same location unless you want to.

So Many Different Ways to Serve

You’ll have some flexibility in where you serve and several options on how. Certainly, you may serve as an officer in your community or on the highway. You could also choose to work as a K9 officer, in the air as a pilot or crew member, on motorcycles, with the SWAT Team, or on a bike in Downtown Sacramento.

Backing up the front lines is another essential role in the CHP. You could work on big rigs at the Commercial Operations Unit, as a technician or investigator on the Hazardous Device Detail (aka the bomb squad), or as a background investigator, checking out potential new applicants. There are also officers who offer Dignitary Protection in both Los Angeles and Sacramento, and others that work on the Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team throughout the state.

If you enjoy teaching and guiding others, you may also enjoy working as a Field Training Officer preparing CHP Academy graduates for the field or as an Academy Instructor training new recruits in the CHP Academy. There’s also a place for those with an automotive or mechanic background to prepare and maintain the CHP’s fleet.

Claim Your Future with a CHP Career

In the CHP you can have everything you’ve been wanting in a career – a fulfilling purpose, a true sense of camaraderie, the pay and benefits you deserve, flexibility that works for you and the reward of knowing you are making a positive difference in your community. It’s a path worth pursuing with the potential for tremendous rewards.

Be a part of the CHP 1000, the more than 1000 new officers ready to contribute to the greater good. Explore CHP career opportunities and contact a recruiter to start your career that will give you your best chance at a very rewarding future.