Police Officer Salary

Allentown vs Chambersburg: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Allentown, PA and Chambersburg, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$87,117
$41.88/hr
Chambersburg, PA
$72,833
$35.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAChambersburg, PA
Median Salary$87,117$72,833
Hourly Rate$41.88$35.01
Entry Level (P10)$54,756$52,509
25th Percentile$65,567$65,021
75th Percentile$98,979$84,107
Top Earner (P90)$108,893$101,524
Total Employed1,610250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($87,117) and Chambersburg ($72,833) police officer salaries.AllentownChambersburgMedian Salary$87,117$72,833Entry Level (P10)$54,756$52,509Top Earner (P90)$108,893$101,524US Median $78,542

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chambersburg.

The salary gap between Allentown and Chambersburg is $14,284 (19.61%). Allentown's median is +10.92% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $54,137,Chambersburg spans $49,015. Allentown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$54,756
P25$65,567
Median$87,117
P75$98,979
P90 (Top)$108,893
Chambersburg
P10 (Entry)$52,509
P25$65,021
Median$72,833
P75$84,107
P90 (Top)$101,524

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($87,145 effective) pays 13.24% more than Chambersburg ($76,956 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $87,117
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $87,145
Chambersburg
Nominal: $72,833
CoL Index: 94.642
Adjusted: $76,956

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,117/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,893)
  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,145)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Chambersburg if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Allentown grew 22.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.0% growth in Chambersburg over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+22.6%

$68,960 (2019) → $84,530 (2025)

Chambersburg, PA

+18.0%

$59,900 (2019) → $70,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Allentown or Chambersburg?

Allentown has a higher median police officer salary at $87,117/year, compared to Chambersburg at $72,833/year — a difference of $14,284 (19.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Chambersburg?

Allentown police officers earn $41.88/hr while Chambersburg hygienists earn $35.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Chambersburg as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Chambersburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $87,145, Chambersburg = $76,956), job availability (1,610 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Allentown vs Chambersburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $54,756 in Allentown and $52,509 in Chambersburg. The Allentown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov