Police Officer Salary

Baltimore vs Odenton: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Baltimore, MD and Odenton, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$78,872
$37.93/hr
Odenton, MD
$82,636
$39.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDOdenton, MD
Median Salary$78,872$82,636
Hourly Rate$37.93$39.73
Entry Level (P10)$62,630$55,437
25th Percentile$71,307$66,625
75th Percentile$98,927$105,148
Top Earner (P90)$104,070$121,998
Total Employed4,6009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($78,872) and Odenton ($82,636) police officer salaries.BaltimoreOdentonMedian Salary$78,872$82,636Entry Level (P10)$62,630$55,437Top Earner (P90)$104,070$121,998US Median $78,542

Verdict

Odenton, MD offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Odenton is $3,764 (4.77%). Odenton's median is +5.21% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $41,440,Odenton spans $66,561. Odenton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$62,630
P25$71,307
Median$78,872
P75$98,927
P90 (Top)$104,070
Odenton
P10 (Entry)$55,437
P25$66,625
Median$82,636
P75$105,148
P90 (Top)$121,998

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Odenton ($75,605 effective) pays 0.16% more than Baltimore ($75,485 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $78,872
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $75,485
Odenton
Nominal: $82,636
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $75,605

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (4,600 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Odenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,636/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,998)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,605)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Baltimore grew 7.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.3% growth in Odenton over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+7.7%

$71,060 (2019) → $76,530 (2025)

Odenton, MD

+-2.3%

$82,065 (2024) → $80,182 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Baltimore or Odenton?

Odenton has a higher median police officer salary at $82,636/year, compared to Baltimore at $78,872/year — a difference of $3,764 (4.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Odenton?

Baltimore police officers earn $37.93/hr while Odenton hygienists earn $39.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Odenton as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Odenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $75,485, Odenton = $75,605), job availability (4,600 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Baltimore vs Odenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $62,630 in Baltimore and $55,437 in Odenton. The Baltimore 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