Police Officer Salary

Bridgeport vs Stamford: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Bridgeport, CT
$86,570
$41.63/hr
Stamford, CT
$85,410
$41.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTStamford, CT
Median Salary$86,570$85,410
Hourly Rate$41.63$41.06
Entry Level (P10)$64,011$53,976
25th Percentile$80,387$66,569
75th Percentile$97,103$109,325
Top Earner (P90)$102,246$131,367
Total Employed1,52027
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($86,570) and Stamford ($85,410) police officer salaries.BridgeportStamfordMedian Salary$86,570$85,410Entry Level (P10)$64,011$53,976Top Earner (P90)$102,246$131,367US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Stamford is $1,160 (1.36%). 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,Stamford spans $77,391. Stamford 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
Stamford
P10 (Entry)$53,976
P25$66,569
Median$85,410
P75$109,325
P90 (Top)$131,367

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($81,010 effective) pays 2.34% more than Stamford ($79,157 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $86,570
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $81,010
Stamford
Nominal: $85,410
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $79,157

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 Stamford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,367)
  • 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 -6.0% growth in Stamford over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+12.8%

$74,470 (2019) → $84,000 (2025)

Stamford, CT

+-6.0%

$88,165 (2024) → $82,874 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Bridgeport or Stamford?

Bridgeport has a higher median police officer salary at $86,570/year, compared to Stamford at $85,410/year — a difference of $1,160 (1.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Stamford?

Bridgeport police officers earn $41.63/hr while Stamford hygienists earn $41.06/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Stamford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $81,010, Stamford = $79,157), job availability (1,520 vs 27 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $64,011 in Bridgeport and $53,976 in Stamford. 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