Police Officer Salary

Chicago vs Streamwood: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Chicago, IL and Streamwood, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$111,109
$53.42/hr
Streamwood, IL
$78,472
$37.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILStreamwood, IL
Median Salary$111,109$78,472
Hourly Rate$53.42$37.73
Entry Level (P10)$65,392$52,074
25th Percentile$89,281$62,603
75th Percentile$111,109$100,444
Top Earner (P90)$126,898$117,374
Total Employed22,6808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($111,109) and Streamwood ($78,472) police officer salaries.ChicagoStreamwoodMedian Salary$111,109$78,472Entry Level (P10)$65,392$52,074Top Earner (P90)$126,898$117,374US Median $78,542

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Streamwood.

The salary gap between Chicago and Streamwood is $32,637 (41.59%). Chicago's median is +41.46% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $61,506,Streamwood spans $65,300. Streamwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$65,392
P25$89,281
Median$111,109
P75$111,109
P90 (Top)$126,898
Streamwood
P10 (Entry)$52,074
P25$62,603
Median$78,472
P75$100,444
P90 (Top)$117,374

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($107,253 effective) pays 32.71% more than Streamwood ($80,816 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $111,109
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $107,253
Streamwood
Nominal: $78,472
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $80,816

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,109/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,898)
  • Larger job market (22,680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,253)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Streamwood if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Chicago grew 21.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.0% growth in Streamwood over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+21.4%

$88,770 (2019) → $107,810 (2025)

Streamwood, IL

+0.0%

$76,106 (2024) → $76,142 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Chicago or Streamwood?

Chicago has a higher median police officer salary at $111,109/year, compared to Streamwood at $78,472/year — a difference of $32,637 (41.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Streamwood?

Chicago police officers earn $53.42/hr while Streamwood hygienists earn $37.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Streamwood as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Streamwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $107,253, Streamwood = $80,816), job availability (22,680 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Chicago vs Streamwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $65,392 in Chicago and $52,074 in Streamwood. The Chicago 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