Police Officer Salary

Avon vs Columbus: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Avon, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Avon, OH
$70,890
$34.08/hr
Columbus, OH
$103,977
$49.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAvon, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$70,890$103,977
Hourly Rate$34.08$49.98
Entry Level (P10)$46,073$62,300
25th Percentile$55,652$73,327
75th Percentile$88,037$106,368
Top Earner (P90)$100,195$114,829
Total Employed65,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Avon ($70,890) and Columbus ($103,977) police officer salaries.AvonColumbusMedian Salary$70,890$103,977Entry Level (P10)$46,073$62,300Top Earner (P90)$100,195$114,829US Median $78,542

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Avon.

The salary gap between Avon and Columbus is $33,087 (46.67%). Columbus's median is +32.38% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Avon spans $54,122,Columbus spans $52,529. Avon has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Avon
P10 (Entry)$46,073
P25$55,652
Median$70,890
P75$88,037
P90 (Top)$100,195
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$62,300
P25$73,327
Median$103,977
P75$106,368
P90 (Top)$114,829

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($108,912 effective) pays 39.35% more than Avon ($78,159 effective).

Avon
Nominal: $70,890
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $78,159
Columbus
Nominal: $103,977
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $108,912

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Avon if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,977/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,829)
  • Larger job market (5,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,912)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Avon grew 16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Avon, OH

+16.9%

$58,840 (2024) → $68,785 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+17.7%

$85,750 (2019) → $100,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Avon or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median police officer salary at $103,977/year, compared to Avon at $70,890/year — a difference of $33,087 (46.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Avon and Columbus?

Avon police officers earn $34.08/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $49.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Avon to Columbus as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Avon and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Avon = $78,159, Columbus = $108,912), job availability (6 vs 5,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Avon vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $46,073 in Avon and $62,300 in Columbus. The Columbus 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