Police Officer Salary

Allentown vs Hazleton: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Allentown, PA
$87,117
$41.88/hr
Hazleton, PA
$80,215
$38.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAHazleton, PA
Median Salary$87,117$80,215
Hourly Rate$41.88$38.57
Entry Level (P10)$54,756$48,605
25th Percentile$65,567$65,463
75th Percentile$98,979$102,675
Top Earner (P90)$108,893$119,682
Total Employed1,6107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($87,117) and Hazleton ($80,215) police officer salaries.AllentownHazletonMedian Salary$87,117$80,215Entry Level (P10)$54,756$48,605Top Earner (P90)$108,893$119,682US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Allentown and Hazleton is $6,902 (8.60%). 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,Hazleton spans $71,077. Hazleton 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
Hazleton
P10 (Entry)$48,605
P25$65,463
Median$80,215
P75$102,675
P90 (Top)$119,682

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($87,145 effective) pays 5.81% more than Hazleton ($82,356 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $87,117
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $87,145
Hazleton
Nominal: $80,215
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $82,356

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)
  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,145)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Hazleton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,682)
  • 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 9.8% growth in Hazleton over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+22.6%

$68,960 (2019) → $84,530 (2025)

Hazleton, PA

+9.8%

$70,890 (2024) → $77,833 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Allentown or Hazleton?

Allentown has a higher median police officer salary at $87,117/year, compared to Hazleton at $80,215/year — a difference of $6,902 (8.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Hazleton?

Allentown police officers earn $41.88/hr while Hazleton hygienists earn $38.57/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Hazleton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $87,145, Hazleton = $82,356), job availability (1,610 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $54,756 in Allentown and $48,605 in Hazleton. 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