Police Officer Salary

Cincinnati vs Solon: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$82,871
$39.84/hr
Solon, OH
$68,292
$32.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHSolon, OH
Median Salary$82,871$68,292
Hourly Rate$39.84$32.83
Entry Level (P10)$58,816$45,872
25th Percentile$66,886$54,694
75th Percentile$98,216$85,929
Top Earner (P90)$101,648$98,002
Total Employed3,9006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($82,871) and Solon ($68,292) police officer salaries.CincinnatiSolonMedian Salary$82,871$68,292Entry Level (P10)$58,816$45,872Top Earner (P90)$101,648$98,002US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Solon is $14,579 (21.35%). 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,Solon spans $52,130. Solon 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
Solon
P10 (Entry)$45,872
P25$54,694
Median$68,292
P75$85,929
P90 (Top)$98,002

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($86,894 effective) pays 15.41% more than Solon ($75,294 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $82,871
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $86,894
Solon
Nominal: $68,292
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $75,294

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)
  • 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

Choose Solon if…

  • 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 Solon over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+16.4%

$69,110 (2019) → $80,410 (2025)

Solon, OH

+16.9%

$56,684 (2024) → $66,264 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Cincinnati or Solon?

Cincinnati has a higher median police officer salary at $82,871/year, compared to Solon at $68,292/year — a difference of $14,579 (21.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Solon?

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

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Solon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $86,894, Solon = $75,294), job availability (3,900 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $58,816 in Cincinnati and $45,872 in Solon. 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