I agree that it’s a calling, and compensation isn’t the driving factor, but LEOs need to pay the bills too. My son’s agency is in a high income area and he feels his financial situation is stable, though he’s a recent college graduate and obviously younger than your son. He received percentage pay increases for each qualifying credential(EMT + bachelors). Hopefully your son started at a higher pay rate because of his military service and masters degree. My son lives with his girlfriend and she’s finishing up her masters in nursing. Once they are both working they will be in a very good position financially for young twentysomethings. Now that he can earn overtime he will do very well this year also, but he’s not juggling family responsibilities.