Police Officer Salary

Bethany vs Tulsa: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Bethany, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bethany, OK
$66,078
$31.77/hr
Tulsa, OK
$66,154
$31.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBethany, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$66,078$66,154
Hourly Rate$31.77$31.80
Entry Level (P10)$42,028$43,481
25th Percentile$51,207$49,108
75th Percentile$83,875$92,146
Top Earner (P90)$96,325$93,135
Total Employed52,310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bethany ($66,078) and Tulsa ($66,154) police officer salaries.BethanyTulsaMedian Salary$66,078$66,154Entry Level (P10)$42,028$43,481Top Earner (P90)$96,325$93,135US Median $78,542

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bethany.

The salary gap between Bethany and Tulsa is $76 (0.12%). Tulsa's median is -15.77% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bethany spans $54,297,Tulsa spans $49,654. Bethany has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bethany
P10 (Entry)$42,028
P25$51,207
Median$66,078
P75$83,875
P90 (Top)$96,325
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$43,481
P25$49,108
Median$66,154
P75$92,146
P90 (Top)$93,135

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bethany ($74,328 effective) pays 0.24% more than Tulsa ($74,152 effective).

Bethany
Nominal: $66,078
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $74,328
Tulsa
Nominal: $66,154
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $74,152

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bethany if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($96,325)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,328)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,154/year)
  • Larger job market (2,310 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Bethany grew 46.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.1% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Bethany, OK

+46.6%

$43,748 (2024) → $64,116 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+24.1%

$51,730 (2019) → $64,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Bethany or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median police officer salary at $66,154/year, compared to Bethany at $66,078/year — a difference of $76 (0.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bethany and Tulsa?

Bethany police officers earn $31.77/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $31.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bethany to Tulsa as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bethany and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bethany = $74,328, Tulsa = $74,152), job availability (5 vs 2,310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Bethany vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $42,028 in Bethany and $43,481 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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