Police Officer Salary

Billerica vs Worcester: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Billerica, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Billerica, MA
$79,040
$38.00/hr
Worcester, MA
$82,664
$39.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBillerica, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$79,040$82,664
Hourly Rate$38.00$39.74
Entry Level (P10)$47,622$61,991
25th Percentile$64,303$74,667
75th Percentile$101,133$100,370
Top Earner (P90)$117,610$105,667
Total Employed72,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Billerica ($79,040) and Worcester ($82,664) police officer salaries.BillericaWorcesterMedian Salary$79,040$82,664Entry Level (P10)$47,622$61,991Top Earner (P90)$117,610$105,667US Median $78,542

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Billerica.

The salary gap between Billerica and Worcester is $3,624 (4.59%). Worcester'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 Billerica spans $69,988,Worcester spans $43,676. Billerica has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Billerica
P10 (Entry)$47,622
P25$64,303
Median$79,040
P75$101,133
P90 (Top)$117,610
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$61,991
P25$74,667
Median$82,664
P75$100,370
P90 (Top)$105,667

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($80,630 effective) pays 10.68% more than Billerica ($72,848 effective).

Billerica
Nominal: $79,040
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,848
Worcester
Nominal: $82,664
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $80,630

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Billerica if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($117,610)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,664/year)
  • Larger job market (2,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,630)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Billerica grew -11.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.7% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Billerica, MA

+-11.0%

$86,159 (2024) → $76,693 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+29.7%

$61,850 (2019) → $80,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Billerica or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median police officer salary at $82,664/year, compared to Billerica at $79,040/year — a difference of $3,624 (4.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Billerica and Worcester?

Billerica police officers earn $38.00/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $39.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Billerica to Worcester as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Billerica and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Billerica = $72,848, Worcester = $80,630), job availability (7 vs 2,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Billerica vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $47,622 in Billerica and $61,991 in Worcester. The Worcester 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