Police Officer Salary

Casper vs Rawlins: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Casper, WY and Rawlins, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casper, WY
$62,602
$30.09/hr
Rawlins, WY
$60,756
$29.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYRawlins, WY
Median Salary$62,602$60,756
Hourly Rate$30.09$29.21
Entry Level (P10)$40,144$38,535
25th Percentile$49,265$47,197
75th Percentile$80,130$73,693
Top Earner (P90)$96,823$88,741
Total Employed94
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($62,602) and Rawlins ($60,756) police officer salaries.CasperRawlinsMedian Salary$62,602$60,756Entry Level (P10)$40,144$38,535Top Earner (P90)$96,823$88,741US Median $78,542

Verdict

Casper, WY offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rawlins.

The salary gap between Casper and Rawlins is $1,846 (3.04%). Casper's median is -20.29% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casper spans $56,679,Rawlins spans $50,206. Casper has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Casper
P10 (Entry)$40,144
P25$49,265
Median$62,602
P75$80,130
P90 (Top)$96,823
Rawlins
P10 (Entry)$38,535
P25$47,197
Median$60,756
P75$73,693
P90 (Top)$88,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Casper ($65,347 effective) pays 3.04% more than Rawlins ($63,420 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $62,602
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $65,347
Rawlins
Nominal: $60,756
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $63,420

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casper if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,602/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,823)
  • Larger job market (9 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,347)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Rawlins if…

  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Casper grew 1.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 4.7% growth in Rawlins over the same period.

Casper, WY

+1.2%

$60,040 (2021) → $60,743 (2025)

Rawlins, WY

+4.7%

$56,295 (2024) → $58,952 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Casper or Rawlins?

Casper has a higher median police officer salary at $62,602/year, compared to Rawlins at $60,756/year — a difference of $1,846 (3.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Rawlins?

Casper police officers earn $30.09/hr while Rawlins hygienists earn $29.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casper to Rawlins as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Rawlins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $65,347, Rawlins = $63,420), job availability (9 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Casper vs Rawlins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $40,144 in Casper and $38,535 in Rawlins. The Casper 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