Police Officer Salary

Boston vs Dracut: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$80,572
$38.74/hr
Dracut, MA
$78,178
$37.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MADracut, MA
Median Salary$80,572$78,178
Hourly Rate$38.74$37.59
Entry Level (P10)$63,640$52,147
25th Percentile$74,481$62,566
75th Percentile$101,844$99,144
Top Earner (P90)$110,522$114,483
Total Employed11,4406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($80,572) and Dracut ($78,178) police officer salaries.BostonDracutMedian Salary$80,572$78,178Entry Level (P10)$63,640$52,147Top Earner (P90)$110,522$114,483US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Dracut is $2,394 (3.06%). Boston's median is +2.58% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $46,882,Dracut spans $62,336. Dracut has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$63,640
P25$74,481
Median$80,572
P75$101,844
P90 (Top)$110,522
Dracut
P10 (Entry)$52,147
P25$62,566
Median$78,178
P75$99,144
P90 (Top)$114,483

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($74,420 effective) pays 3.28% more than Dracut ($72,053 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $80,572
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $74,420
Dracut
Nominal: $78,178
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,053

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,572/year)
  • Larger job market (11,440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,420)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Dracut if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,483)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Boston grew 5.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.0% growth in Dracut over the same period.

Boston, MA

+5.4%

$74,160 (2019) → $78,180 (2025)

Dracut, MA

+-11.0%

$85,220 (2024) → $75,857 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Boston or Dracut?

Boston has a higher median police officer salary at $80,572/year, compared to Dracut at $78,178/year — a difference of $2,394 (3.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Dracut?

Boston police officers earn $38.74/hr while Dracut hygienists earn $37.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Dracut as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Dracut. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $74,420, Dracut = $72,053), job availability (11,440 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $63,640 in Boston and $52,147 in Dracut. The Boston 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