Police Officer Salary

Atlantic City vs Bayonne: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Bayonne, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$79,109
$38.03/hr
Bayonne, NJ
$87,365
$42.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJBayonne, NJ
Median Salary$79,109$87,365
Hourly Rate$38.03$42.01
Entry Level (P10)$50,479$54,828
25th Percentile$60,146$67,587
75th Percentile$106,018$111,827
Top Earner (P90)$126,774$133,179
Total Employed1,10016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($79,109) and Bayonne ($87,365) police officer salaries.Atlantic CityBayonneMedian Salary$79,109$87,365Entry Level (P10)$50,479$54,828Top Earner (P90)$126,774$133,179US Median $78,542

Verdict

Bayonne, NJ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Bayonne is $8,256 (10.44%). Bayonne's median is +11.23% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $76,295,Bayonne spans $78,351. Bayonne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$50,479
P25$60,146
Median$79,109
P75$106,018
P90 (Top)$126,774
Bayonne
P10 (Entry)$54,828
P25$67,587
Median$87,365
P75$111,827
P90 (Top)$133,179

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($80,024 effective) pays 5.52% more than Bayonne ($75,838 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $79,109
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $80,024
Bayonne
Nominal: $87,365
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $75,838

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,024)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Bayonne if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,365/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,179)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Atlantic City grew -13.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -19.8% growth in Bayonne over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+-13.2%

$88,400 (2019) → $76,760 (2025)

Bayonne, NJ

+-19.8%

$105,672 (2024) → $84,771 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Atlantic City or Bayonne?

Bayonne has a higher median police officer salary at $87,365/year, compared to Atlantic City at $79,109/year — a difference of $8,256 (10.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Bayonne?

Atlantic City police officers earn $38.03/hr while Bayonne hygienists earn $42.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Bayonne as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Bayonne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $80,024, Bayonne = $75,838), job availability (1,100 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Atlantic City vs Bayonne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,479 in Atlantic City and $54,828 in Bayonne. The Bayonne area offers higher starting salaries.
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