Police Officer Salary

Cheyenne vs Lander: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Cheyenne, WY
$63,500
$30.53/hr
Lander, WY
$61,431
$29.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCheyenne, WYLander, WY
Median Salary$63,500$61,431
Hourly Rate$30.53$29.54
Entry Level (P10)$37,340$40,135
25th Percentile$51,051$48,573
75th Percentile$81,280$76,617
Top Earner (P90)$97,532$87,353
Total Employed134
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cheyenne ($63,500) and Lander ($61,431) police officer salaries.CheyenneLanderMedian Salary$63,500$61,431Entry Level (P10)$37,340$40,135Top Earner (P90)$97,532$87,353US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cheyenne and Lander is $2,069 (3.37%). Cheyenne's median is -19.15% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cheyenne spans $60,192,Lander spans $47,218. Cheyenne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cheyenne
P10 (Entry)$37,340
P25$51,051
Median$63,500
P75$81,280
P90 (Top)$97,532
Lander
P10 (Entry)$40,135
P25$48,573
Median$61,431
P75$76,617
P90 (Top)$87,353

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cheyenne ($66,284 effective) pays 3.37% more than Lander ($64,124 effective).

Cheyenne
Nominal: $63,500
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $66,284
Lander
Nominal: $61,431
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $64,124

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cheyenne if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,500/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,532)
  • Larger job market (13 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,284)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Lander if…

  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Cheyenne grew 4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.7% growth in Lander over the same period.

Cheyenne, WY

+4.7%

$58,837 (2024) → $61,615 (2025)

Lander, WY

+4.7%

$56,920 (2024) → $59,607 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Cheyenne or Lander?

Cheyenne has a higher median police officer salary at $63,500/year, compared to Lander at $61,431/year — a difference of $2,069 (3.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cheyenne and Lander?

Cheyenne police officers earn $30.53/hr while Lander hygienists earn $29.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cheyenne to Lander as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cheyenne and Lander. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cheyenne = $66,284, Lander = $64,124), job availability (13 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Cheyenne vs Lander?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $37,340 in Cheyenne and $40,135 in Lander. The Lander 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