Police Officer Salary

Barnstable Town vs Boston: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Barnstable Town, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable Town, MA
$82,664
$39.74/hr
Boston, MA
$80,572
$38.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable Town, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$82,664$80,572
Hourly Rate$39.74$38.74
Entry Level (P10)$65,763$63,640
25th Percentile$78,779$74,481
75th Percentile$99,350$101,844
Top Earner (P90)$103,565$110,522
Total Employed53011,440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable Town ($82,664) and Boston ($80,572) police officer salaries.Barnstable TownBostonMedian Salary$82,664$80,572Entry Level (P10)$65,763$63,640Top Earner (P90)$103,565$110,522US Median $78,542

Verdict

Barnstable Town and Boston are closely matched on overall police officer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Barnstable Town and Boston is $2,092 (2.60%). Barnstable Town's median is +5.25% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable Town spans $37,802,Boston spans $46,882. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$65,763
P25$78,779
Median$82,664
P75$99,350
P90 (Top)$103,565
Boston
P10 (Entry)$63,640
P25$74,481
Median$80,572
P75$101,844
P90 (Top)$110,522

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($84,050 effective) pays 12.94% more than Boston ($74,420 effective).

Barnstable Town
Nominal: $82,664
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $84,050
Boston
Nominal: $80,572
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $74,420

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,664/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,050)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,522)
  • Larger job market (11,440 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Barnstable Town grew 10.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.4% growth in Boston over the same period.

Barnstable Town, MA

+10.6%

$72,490 (2019) → $80,210 (2025)

Boston, MA

+5.4%

$74,160 (2019) → $78,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Barnstable Town or Boston?

Barnstable Town has a higher median police officer salary at $82,664/year, compared to Boston at $80,572/year — a difference of $2,092 (2.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable Town and Boston?

Barnstable Town police officers earn $39.74/hr while Boston hygienists earn $38.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable Town to Boston as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable Town and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable Town = $84,050, Boston = $74,420), job availability (530 vs 11,440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Barnstable Town vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $65,763 in Barnstable Town and $63,640 in Boston. The Barnstable Town 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