Police Officer Salary

Boston vs Randolph: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$80,572
$38.74/hr
Randolph, MA
$81,117
$39.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MARandolph, MA
Median Salary$80,572$81,117
Hourly Rate$38.74$39.00
Entry Level (P10)$63,640$52,299
25th Percentile$74,481$63,646
75th Percentile$101,844$103,323
Top Earner (P90)$110,522$116,761
Total Employed11,4408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($80,572) and Randolph ($81,117) police officer salaries.BostonRandolphMedian Salary$80,572$81,117Entry Level (P10)$63,640$52,299Top Earner (P90)$110,522$116,761US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Randolph is $545 (0.68%). Randolph's median is +3.28% 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,Randolph spans $64,462. Randolph 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
Randolph
P10 (Entry)$52,299
P25$63,646
Median$81,117
P75$103,323
P90 (Top)$116,761

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Randolph ($74,762 effective) pays 0.46% more than Boston ($74,420 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $80,572
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $74,420
Randolph
Nominal: $81,117
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $74,762

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Larger job market (11,440 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Randolph if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,117/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,761)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,762)
  • 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 Randolph over the same period.

Boston, MA

+5.4%

$74,160 (2019) → $78,180 (2025)

Randolph, MA

+-11.0%

$88,424 (2024) → $78,709 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Boston or Randolph?

Randolph has a higher median police officer salary at $81,117/year, compared to Boston at $80,572/year — a difference of $545 (0.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Randolph?

Boston police officers earn $38.74/hr while Randolph hygienists earn $39.00/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Randolph. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $74,420, Randolph = $74,762), job availability (11,440 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $63,640 in Boston and $52,299 in Randolph. 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