Police Officer Salary

Cleveland vs North Ridgeville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$82,737
$39.77/hr
North Ridgeville, OH
$73,089
$35.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHNorth Ridgeville, OH
Median Salary$82,737$73,089
Hourly Rate$39.77$35.14
Entry Level (P10)$52,901$45,928
25th Percentile$72,647$56,406
75th Percentile$84,571$92,129
Top Earner (P90)$96,217$103,889
Total Employed5,2008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($82,737) and North Ridgeville ($73,089) police officer salaries.ClevelandNorth RidgevilleMedian Salary$82,737$73,089Entry Level (P10)$52,901$45,928Top Earner (P90)$96,217$103,889US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and North Ridgeville is $9,648 (13.20%). Cleveland's median is +5.34% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $43,316,North Ridgeville spans $57,961. North Ridgeville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$52,901
P25$72,647
Median$82,737
P75$84,571
P90 (Top)$96,217
North Ridgeville
P10 (Entry)$45,928
P25$56,406
Median$73,089
P75$92,129
P90 (Top)$103,889

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($88,090 effective) pays 9.32% more than North Ridgeville ($80,583 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $82,737
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $88,090
North Ridgeville
Nominal: $73,089
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $80,583

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,737/year)
  • Larger job market (5,200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,090)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose North Ridgeville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,889)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Cleveland grew 31.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.9% growth in North Ridgeville over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+31.6%

$61,010 (2019) → $80,280 (2025)

North Ridgeville, OH

+16.9%

$60,666 (2024) → $70,919 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Cleveland or North Ridgeville?

Cleveland has a higher median police officer salary at $82,737/year, compared to North Ridgeville at $73,089/year — a difference of $9,648 (13.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and North Ridgeville?

Cleveland police officers earn $39.77/hr while North Ridgeville hygienists earn $35.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to North Ridgeville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and North Ridgeville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $88,090, North Ridgeville = $80,583), job availability (5,200 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Cleveland vs North Ridgeville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $52,901 in Cleveland and $45,928 in North Ridgeville. The Cleveland 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