Police Officer Salary

Atlantic City vs Westfield: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$79,109
$38.03/hr
Westfield, NJ
$88,036
$42.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJWestfield, NJ
Median Salary$79,109$88,036
Hourly Rate$38.03$42.33
Entry Level (P10)$50,479$53,356
25th Percentile$60,146$72,129
75th Percentile$106,018$109,830
Top Earner (P90)$126,774$126,377
Total Employed1,1007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($79,109) and Westfield ($88,036) police officer salaries.Atlantic CityWestfieldMedian Salary$79,109$88,036Entry Level (P10)$50,479$53,356Top Earner (P90)$126,774$126,377US Median $78,542

Verdict

Atlantic City and Westfield are closely matched on overall police officer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Westfield is $8,927 (11.28%). Westfield's median is +12.09% 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,Westfield spans $73,021. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$50,479
P25$60,146
Median$79,109
P75$106,018
P90 (Top)$126,774
Westfield
P10 (Entry)$53,356
P25$72,129
Median$88,036
P75$109,830
P90 (Top)$126,377

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($80,024 effective) pays 4.72% more than Westfield ($76,420 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $79,109
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $80,024
Westfield
Nominal: $88,036
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $76,420

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($126,774)
  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,024)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Westfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,036/year)
  • 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 Westfield over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+-13.2%

$88,400 (2019) → $76,760 (2025)

Westfield, NJ

+-19.8%

$106,484 (2024) → $85,422 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Westfield has a higher median police officer salary at $88,036/year, compared to Atlantic City at $79,109/year — a difference of $8,927 (11.28%).

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

Atlantic City police officers earn $38.03/hr while Westfield hygienists earn $42.33/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Westfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $80,024, Westfield = $76,420), job availability (1,100 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,479 in Atlantic City and $53,356 in Westfield. The Westfield 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