Police Officer Salary

Centerville vs Cincinnati: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Centerville, OH and Cincinnati, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centerville, OH
$68,303
$32.83/hr
Cincinnati, OH
$82,871
$39.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCenterville, OHCincinnati, OH
Median Salary$68,303$82,871
Hourly Rate$32.83$39.84
Entry Level (P10)$45,601$58,816
25th Percentile$54,717$66,886
75th Percentile$84,405$98,216
Top Earner (P90)$95,860$101,648
Total Employed63,900
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centerville ($68,303) and Cincinnati ($82,871) police officer salaries.CentervilleCincinnatiMedian Salary$68,303$82,871Entry Level (P10)$45,601$58,816Top Earner (P90)$95,860$101,648US Median $78,542

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Centerville.

The salary gap between Centerville and Cincinnati is $14,568 (21.33%). Cincinnati's median is +5.51% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centerville spans $50,259,Cincinnati spans $42,832. Centerville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centerville
P10 (Entry)$45,601
P25$54,717
Median$68,303
P75$84,405
P90 (Top)$95,860
Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$58,816
P25$66,886
Median$82,871
P75$98,216
P90 (Top)$101,648

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($86,894 effective) pays 15.39% more than Centerville ($75,307 effective).

Centerville
Nominal: $68,303
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $75,307
Cincinnati
Nominal: $82,871
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $86,894

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centerville if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,871/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,648)
  • Larger job market (3,900 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,894)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Centerville grew 16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.4% growth in Cincinnati over the same period.

Centerville, OH

+16.9%

$56,693 (2024) → $66,275 (2025)

Cincinnati, OH

+16.4%

$69,110 (2019) → $80,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Centerville or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a higher median police officer salary at $82,871/year, compared to Centerville at $68,303/year — a difference of $14,568 (21.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centerville and Cincinnati?

Centerville police officers earn $32.83/hr while Cincinnati hygienists earn $39.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centerville to Cincinnati as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centerville and Cincinnati. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centerville = $75,307, Cincinnati = $86,894), job availability (6 vs 3,900 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Centerville vs Cincinnati?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,601 in Centerville and $58,816 in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati 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