Police Officer Salary

Beloit vs Milwaukee: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Beloit, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beloit, WI
$76,665
$36.85/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$84,602
$40.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeloit, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$76,665$84,602
Hourly Rate$36.85$40.68
Entry Level (P10)$46,606$67,061
25th Percentile$62,738$80,912
75th Percentile$95,630$95,547
Top Earner (P90)$109,746$96,578
Total Employed53,660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beloit ($76,665) and Milwaukee ($84,602) police officer salaries.BeloitMilwaukeeMedian Salary$76,665$84,602Entry Level (P10)$46,606$67,061Top Earner (P90)$109,746$96,578US Median $78,542

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Beloit.

The salary gap between Beloit and Milwaukee is $7,937 (10.35%). Milwaukee's median is +7.72% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beloit spans $63,140,Milwaukee spans $29,517. Beloit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beloit
P10 (Entry)$46,606
P25$62,738
Median$76,665
P75$95,630
P90 (Top)$109,746
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$67,061
P25$80,912
Median$84,602
P75$95,547
P90 (Top)$96,578

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($87,275 effective) pays 6.33% more than Beloit ($82,082 effective).

Beloit
Nominal: $76,665
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $82,082
Milwaukee
Nominal: $84,602
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $87,275

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beloit if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,746)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,602/year)
  • Larger job market (3,660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,275)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Beloit grew 20.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Beloit, WI

+20.5%

$61,747 (2024) → $74,389 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+10.3%

$74,420 (2019) → $82,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Beloit or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median police officer salary at $84,602/year, compared to Beloit at $76,665/year — a difference of $7,937 (10.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beloit and Milwaukee?

Beloit police officers earn $36.85/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $40.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beloit to Milwaukee as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beloit and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beloit = $82,082, Milwaukee = $87,275), job availability (5 vs 3,660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Beloit vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $46,606 in Beloit and $67,061 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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