Police Officer Salary

Cleveland vs Strongsville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$82,737
$39.77/hr
Strongsville, OH
$72,356
$34.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHStrongsville, OH
Median Salary$82,737$72,356
Hourly Rate$39.77$34.78
Entry Level (P10)$52,901$43,949
25th Percentile$72,647$57,745
75th Percentile$84,571$92,616
Top Earner (P90)$96,217$108,440
Total Employed5,2008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($82,737) and Strongsville ($72,356) police officer salaries.ClevelandStrongsvilleMedian Salary$82,737$72,356Entry Level (P10)$52,901$43,949Top Earner (P90)$96,217$108,440US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Strongsville is $10,381 (14.35%). 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,Strongsville spans $64,491. Strongsville 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
Strongsville
P10 (Entry)$43,949
P25$57,745
Median$72,356
P75$92,616
P90 (Top)$108,440

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($88,090 effective) pays 10.42% more than Strongsville ($79,775 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $82,737
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $88,090
Strongsville
Nominal: $72,356
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $79,775

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 Strongsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,440)
  • 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 Strongsville over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+31.6%

$61,010 (2019) → $80,280 (2025)

Strongsville, OH

+16.9%

$60,058 (2024) → $70,208 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Cleveland or Strongsville?

Cleveland has a higher median police officer salary at $82,737/year, compared to Strongsville at $72,356/year — a difference of $10,381 (14.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Strongsville?

Cleveland police officers earn $39.77/hr while Strongsville hygienists earn $34.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Strongsville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Strongsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $88,090, Strongsville = $79,775), job availability (5,200 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $52,901 in Cleveland and $43,949 in Strongsville. 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