Police Officer Salary

Allentown vs Gettysburg: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Allentown, PA
$87,117
$41.88/hr
Gettysburg, PA
$94,331
$45.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAGettysburg, PA
Median Salary$87,117$94,331
Hourly Rate$41.88$45.35
Entry Level (P10)$54,756$59,105
25th Percentile$65,567$76,254
75th Percentile$98,979$119,251
Top Earner (P90)$108,893$123,878
Total Employed1,610230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($87,117) and Gettysburg ($94,331) police officer salaries.AllentownGettysburgMedian Salary$87,117$94,331Entry Level (P10)$54,756$59,105Top Earner (P90)$108,893$123,878US Median $78,542

Verdict

Gettysburg, PA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Allentown.

The salary gap between Allentown and Gettysburg is $7,214 (8.28%). Gettysburg's median is +20.10% 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,Gettysburg spans $64,773. Gettysburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$54,756
P25$65,567
Median$87,117
P75$98,979
P90 (Top)$108,893
Gettysburg
P10 (Entry)$59,105
P25$76,254
Median$94,331
P75$119,251
P90 (Top)$123,878

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gettysburg ($98,901 effective) pays 13.49% more than Allentown ($87,145 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $87,117
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $87,145
Gettysburg
Nominal: $94,331
CoL Index: 95.379
Adjusted: $98,901

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Gettysburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,331/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,878)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,901)
  • 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 11.4% growth in Gettysburg over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+22.6%

$68,960 (2019) → $84,530 (2025)

Gettysburg, PA

+11.4%

$82,180 (2019) → $91,530 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Allentown or Gettysburg?

Gettysburg has a higher median police officer salary at $94,331/year, compared to Allentown at $87,117/year — a difference of $7,214 (8.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Gettysburg?

Allentown police officers earn $41.88/hr while Gettysburg hygienists earn $45.35/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Gettysburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $87,145, Gettysburg = $98,901), job availability (1,610 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $54,756 in Allentown and $59,105 in Gettysburg. The Gettysburg 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