Police Officer Salary

Burnsville vs Duluth: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Burnsville, MN and Duluth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burnsville, MN
$78,492
$37.74/hr
Duluth, MN
$78,552
$37.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurnsville, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$78,492$78,552
Hourly Rate$37.74$37.76
Entry Level (P10)$51,871$60,084
25th Percentile$62,681$70,359
75th Percentile$100,469$95,372
Top Earner (P90)$119,854$105,884
Total Employed9510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burnsville ($78,492) and Duluth ($78,552) police officer salaries.BurnsvilleDuluthMedian Salary$78,492$78,552Entry Level (P10)$51,871$60,084Top Earner (P90)$119,854$105,884US Median $78,542

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burnsville.

The salary gap between Burnsville and Duluth is $60 (0.08%). Duluth's median is +0.01% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burnsville spans $67,983,Duluth spans $45,800. Burnsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burnsville
P10 (Entry)$51,871
P25$62,681
Median$78,492
P75$100,469
P90 (Top)$119,854
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$60,084
P25$70,359
Median$78,552
P75$95,372
P90 (Top)$105,884

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($88,491 effective) pays 11.05% more than Burnsville ($79,687 effective).

Burnsville
Nominal: $78,492
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $79,687
Duluth
Nominal: $78,552
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $88,491

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burnsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,854)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,552/year)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,491)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Burnsville grew 0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Burnsville, MN

+0.5%

$75,767 (2024) → $76,161 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+17.1%

$65,100 (2019) → $76,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Burnsville or Duluth?

Duluth has a higher median police officer salary at $78,552/year, compared to Burnsville at $78,492/year — a difference of $60 (0.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burnsville and Duluth?

Burnsville police officers earn $37.74/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $37.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burnsville to Duluth as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burnsville and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burnsville = $79,687, Duluth = $88,491), job availability (9 vs 510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Burnsville vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $51,871 in Burnsville and $60,084 in Duluth. The Duluth 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