Police Officer Salary

Colorado Springs vs Loveland: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Loveland, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$94,382
$45.38/hr
Loveland, CO
$97,311
$46.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COLoveland, CO
Median Salary$94,382$97,311
Hourly Rate$45.38$46.79
Entry Level (P10)$64,928$61,182
25th Percentile$75,718$75,366
75th Percentile$100,607$123,966
Top Earner (P90)$100,607$144,683
Total Employed1,24017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($94,382) and Loveland ($97,311) police officer salaries.Colorado SpringsLovelandMedian Salary$94,382$97,311Entry Level (P10)$64,928$61,182Top Earner (P90)$100,607$144,683US Median $78,542

Verdict

Loveland, CO offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Colorado Springs.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Loveland is $2,929 (3.10%). Loveland's median is +23.90% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $35,679,Loveland spans $83,501. Loveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$64,928
P25$75,718
Median$94,382
P75$100,607
P90 (Top)$100,607
Loveland
P10 (Entry)$61,182
P25$75,366
Median$97,311
P75$123,966
P90 (Top)$144,683

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($93,719 effective) pays 1.12% more than Loveland ($92,677 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $94,382
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $93,719
Loveland
Nominal: $97,311
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $92,677

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Larger job market (1,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,719)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Loveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,311/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($144,683)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Colorado Springs grew 27.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 29.3% growth in Loveland over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+27.1%

$72,030 (2019) → $91,580 (2025)

Loveland, CO

+29.3%

$73,051 (2024) → $94,422 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Colorado Springs or Loveland?

Loveland has a higher median police officer salary at $97,311/year, compared to Colorado Springs at $94,382/year — a difference of $2,929 (3.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Loveland?

Colorado Springs police officers earn $45.38/hr while Loveland hygienists earn $46.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Loveland as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Loveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $93,719, Loveland = $92,677), job availability (1,240 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Colorado Springs vs Loveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $64,928 in Colorado Springs and $61,182 in Loveland. The Colorado Springs 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