Police Officer Salary

Chaska vs Minneapolis: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Chaska, MN
$78,660
$37.81/hr
Minneapolis, MN
$100,164
$48.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChaska, MNMinneapolis, MN
Median Salary$78,660$100,164
Hourly Rate$37.81$48.16
Entry Level (P10)$50,050$65,278
25th Percentile$61,165$82,788
75th Percentile$97,902$105,966
Top Earner (P90)$112,539$112,572
Total Employed55,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chaska ($78,660) and Minneapolis ($100,164) police officer salaries.ChaskaMinneapolisMedian Salary$78,660$100,164Entry Level (P10)$50,050$65,278Top Earner (P90)$112,539$112,572US Median $78,542

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chaska.

The salary gap between Chaska and Minneapolis is $21,504 (27.34%). Minneapolis's median is +27.53% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chaska spans $62,489,Minneapolis spans $47,294. Chaska has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chaska
P10 (Entry)$50,050
P25$61,165
Median$78,660
P75$97,902
P90 (Top)$112,539
Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$65,278
P25$82,788
Median$100,164
P75$105,966
P90 (Top)$112,572

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($95,556 effective) pays 19.66% more than Chaska ($79,858 effective).

Chaska
Nominal: $78,660
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $79,858
Minneapolis
Nominal: $100,164
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $95,556

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chaska if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,164/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,572)
  • Larger job market (5,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,556)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Chaska grew 0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Minneapolis over the same period.

Chaska, MN

+0.5%

$75,929 (2024) → $76,324 (2025)

Minneapolis, MN

+22.0%

$79,670 (2019) → $97,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Chaska or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a higher median police officer salary at $100,164/year, compared to Chaska at $78,660/year — a difference of $21,504 (27.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chaska and Minneapolis?

Chaska police officers earn $37.81/hr while Minneapolis hygienists earn $48.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chaska to Minneapolis as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chaska and Minneapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chaska = $79,858, Minneapolis = $95,556), job availability (5 vs 5,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Chaska vs Minneapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,050 in Chaska and $65,278 in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis 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