Police Officer Salary

Catonsville vs Salisbury: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Catonsville, MD and Salisbury, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Catonsville, MD
$81,963
$39.41/hr
Salisbury, MD
$60,373
$29.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCatonsville, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$81,963$60,373
Hourly Rate$39.41$29.02
Entry Level (P10)$54,239$49,551
25th Percentile$65,275$58,497
75th Percentile$104,912$87,653
Top Earner (P90)$119,517$106,677
Total Employed10320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Catonsville ($81,963) and Salisbury ($60,373) police officer salaries.CatonsvilleSalisburyMedian Salary$81,963$60,373Entry Level (P10)$54,239$49,551Top Earner (P90)$119,517$106,677US Median $78,542

Verdict

Catonsville, MD offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Catonsville and Salisbury is $21,590 (35.76%). Catonsville's median is +4.36% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Catonsville spans $65,278,Salisbury spans $57,126. Catonsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Catonsville
P10 (Entry)$54,239
P25$65,275
Median$81,963
P75$104,912
P90 (Top)$119,517
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$49,551
P25$58,497
Median$60,373
P75$87,653
P90 (Top)$106,677

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Catonsville ($74,989 effective) pays 18.77% more than Salisbury ($63,140 effective).

Catonsville
Nominal: $81,963
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $74,989
Salisbury
Nominal: $60,373
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $63,140

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Catonsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,963/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,517)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,989)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Catonsville grew -2.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.3% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Catonsville, MD

+-2.3%

$81,396 (2024) → $79,529 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+1.3%

$57,830 (2019) → $58,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Catonsville or Salisbury?

Catonsville has a higher median police officer salary at $81,963/year, compared to Salisbury at $60,373/year — a difference of $21,590 (35.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Catonsville and Salisbury?

Catonsville police officers earn $39.41/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $29.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Catonsville to Salisbury as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Catonsville and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Catonsville = $74,989, Salisbury = $63,140), job availability (10 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Catonsville vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $54,239 in Catonsville and $49,551 in Salisbury. The Catonsville 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