Police Officer Salary

Boynton Beach vs Tampa: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Boynton Beach, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boynton Beach, FL
$70,060
$33.68/hr
Tampa, FL
$78,027
$37.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoynton Beach, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$70,060$78,027
Hourly Rate$33.68$37.51
Entry Level (P10)$41,484$61,207
25th Percentile$56,540$66,144
75th Percentile$88,752$98,123
Top Earner (P90)$103,695$109,646
Total Employed125,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boynton Beach ($70,060) and Tampa ($78,027) police officer salaries.Boynton BeachTampaMedian Salary$70,060$78,027Entry Level (P10)$41,484$61,207Top Earner (P90)$103,695$109,646US Median $78,542

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Boynton Beach.

The salary gap between Boynton Beach and Tampa is $7,967 (11.37%). Tampa's median is -0.66% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boynton Beach spans $62,211,Tampa spans $48,439. Boynton Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boynton Beach
P10 (Entry)$41,484
P25$56,540
Median$70,060
P75$88,752
P90 (Top)$103,695
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$61,207
P25$66,144
Median$78,027
P75$98,123
P90 (Top)$109,646

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($77,339 effective) pays 11.27% more than Boynton Beach ($69,504 effective).

Boynton Beach
Nominal: $70,060
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $69,504
Tampa
Nominal: $78,027
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $77,339

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boynton Beach if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,027/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,646)
  • Larger job market (5,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,339)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Boynton Beach grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Boynton Beach, FL

+9.5%

$62,067 (2024) → $67,980 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+27.3%

$59,470 (2019) → $75,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Boynton Beach or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median police officer salary at $78,027/year, compared to Boynton Beach at $70,060/year — a difference of $7,967 (11.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boynton Beach and Tampa?

Boynton Beach police officers earn $33.68/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $37.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boynton Beach to Tampa as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boynton Beach and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boynton Beach = $69,504, Tampa = $77,339), job availability (12 vs 5,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Boynton Beach vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $41,484 in Boynton Beach and $61,207 in Tampa. The Tampa 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