Police Officer Salary

Bridgeport vs Danbury: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Danbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$86,570
$41.63/hr
Danbury, CT
$84,760
$40.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTDanbury, CT
Median Salary$86,570$84,760
Hourly Rate$41.63$40.75
Entry Level (P10)$64,011$53,355
25th Percentile$80,387$65,953
75th Percentile$97,103$108,154
Top Earner (P90)$102,246$126,753
Total Employed1,52012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($86,570) and Danbury ($84,760) police officer salaries.BridgeportDanburyMedian Salary$86,570$84,760Entry Level (P10)$64,011$53,355Top Earner (P90)$102,246$126,753US Median $78,542

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Danbury.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Danbury is $1,810 (2.14%). Bridgeport's median is +10.22% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $38,235,Danbury spans $73,398. Danbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$64,011
P25$80,387
Median$86,570
P75$97,103
P90 (Top)$102,246
Danbury
P10 (Entry)$53,355
P25$65,953
Median$84,760
P75$108,154
P90 (Top)$126,753

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($81,010 effective) pays 3.13% more than Danbury ($78,554 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $86,570
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $81,010
Danbury
Nominal: $84,760
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $78,554

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,570/year)
  • Larger job market (1,520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,010)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Danbury if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($126,753)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Bridgeport grew 12.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.0% growth in Danbury over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+12.8%

$74,470 (2019) → $84,000 (2025)

Danbury, CT

+15.0%

$71,490 (2019) → $82,243 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Bridgeport or Danbury?

Bridgeport has a higher median police officer salary at $86,570/year, compared to Danbury at $84,760/year — a difference of $1,810 (2.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Danbury?

Bridgeport police officers earn $41.63/hr while Danbury hygienists earn $40.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Danbury as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Danbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $81,010, Danbury = $78,554), job availability (1,520 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Bridgeport vs Danbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $64,011 in Bridgeport and $53,355 in Danbury. The Bridgeport 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