Police Officer Salary

Cincinnati vs North Royalton: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$82,871
$39.84/hr
North Royalton, OH
$72,985
$35.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHNorth Royalton, OH
Median Salary$82,871$72,985
Hourly Rate$39.84$35.09
Entry Level (P10)$58,816$45,380
25th Percentile$66,886$59,021
75th Percentile$98,216$90,301
Top Earner (P90)$101,648$103,537
Total Employed3,9007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($82,871) and North Royalton ($72,985) police officer salaries.CincinnatiNorth RoyaltonMedian Salary$82,871$72,985Entry Level (P10)$58,816$45,380Top Earner (P90)$101,648$103,537US Median $78,542

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Royalton.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and North Royalton is $9,886 (13.55%). 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 Cincinnati spans $42,832,North Royalton spans $58,157. North Royalton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$58,816
P25$66,886
Median$82,871
P75$98,216
P90 (Top)$101,648
North Royalton
P10 (Entry)$45,380
P25$59,021
Median$72,985
P75$90,301
P90 (Top)$103,537

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($86,894 effective) pays 7.99% more than North Royalton ($80,469 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $82,871
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $86,894
North Royalton
Nominal: $72,985
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $80,469

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

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

Choose North Royalton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,537)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Cincinnati grew 16.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.9% growth in North Royalton over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+16.4%

$69,110 (2019) → $80,410 (2025)

North Royalton, OH

+16.9%

$60,580 (2024) → $70,818 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Cincinnati or North Royalton?

Cincinnati has a higher median police officer salary at $82,871/year, compared to North Royalton at $72,985/year — a difference of $9,886 (13.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and North Royalton?

Cincinnati police officers earn $39.84/hr while North Royalton hygienists earn $35.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to North Royalton as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and North Royalton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $86,894, North Royalton = $80,469), job availability (3,900 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $58,816 in Cincinnati and $45,380 in North Royalton. 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