Police Officer Salary

Cape Coral vs Miami: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Cape Coral, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cape Coral, FL
$79,057
$38.01/hr
Miami, FL
$82,283
$39.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCape Coral, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$79,057$82,283
Hourly Rate$38.01$39.55
Entry Level (P10)$61,032$63,485
25th Percentile$64,011$76,161
75th Percentile$96,258$100,731
Top Earner (P90)$98,216$119,230
Total Employed1,58014,710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cape Coral ($79,057) and Miami ($82,283) police officer salaries.Cape CoralMiamiMedian Salary$79,057$82,283Entry Level (P10)$61,032$63,485Top Earner (P90)$98,216$119,230US Median $78,542

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cape Coral.

The salary gap between Cape Coral and Miami is $3,226 (4.08%). Miami's median is +4.76% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cape Coral spans $37,184,Miami spans $55,745. Miami has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Cape Coral
P10 (Entry)$61,032
P25$64,011
Median$79,057
P75$96,258
P90 (Top)$98,216
Miami
P10 (Entry)$63,485
P25$76,161
Median$82,283
P75$100,731
P90 (Top)$119,230

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cape Coral ($77,243 effective) pays 7.16% more than Miami ($72,080 effective).

Cape Coral
Nominal: $79,057
CoL Index: 102.349
Adjusted: $77,243
Miami
Nominal: $82,283
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $72,080

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cape Coral if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,243)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,283/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,230)
  • Larger job market (14,710 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Cape Coral grew 49.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.6% growth in Miami over the same period.

Cape Coral, FL

+49.0%

$51,480 (2019) → $76,710 (2025)

Miami, FL

+11.6%

$71,550 (2019) → $79,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Cape Coral or Miami?

Miami has a higher median police officer salary at $82,283/year, compared to Cape Coral at $79,057/year — a difference of $3,226 (4.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cape Coral and Miami?

Cape Coral police officers earn $38.01/hr while Miami hygienists earn $39.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cape Coral to Miami as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cape Coral and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cape Coral = $77,243, Miami = $72,080), job availability (1,580 vs 14,710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Cape Coral vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $61,032 in Cape Coral and $63,485 in Miami. The Miami 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