Police Officer Salary

Detroit vs Port Huron: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Detroit, MI and Port Huron, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$80,851
$38.87/hr
Port Huron, MI
$74,104
$35.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIPort Huron, MI
Median Salary$80,851$74,104
Hourly Rate$38.87$35.63
Entry Level (P10)$52,190$47,113
25th Percentile$67,649$57,594
75th Percentile$85,004$93,913
Top Earner (P90)$93,156$105,792
Total Employed7,8606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($80,851) and Port Huron ($74,104) police officer salaries.DetroitPort HuronMedian Salary$80,851$74,104Entry Level (P10)$52,190$47,113Top Earner (P90)$93,156$105,792US Median $78,542

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Port Huron.

The salary gap between Detroit and Port Huron is $6,747 (9.10%). Detroit's median is +2.94% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $40,966,Port Huron spans $58,679. Port Huron has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$52,190
P25$67,649
Median$80,851
P75$85,004
P90 (Top)$93,156
Port Huron
P10 (Entry)$47,113
P25$57,594
Median$74,104
P75$93,913
P90 (Top)$105,792

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($80,611 effective) pays 1.38% more than Port Huron ($79,511 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $80,851
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $80,611
Port Huron
Nominal: $74,104
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $79,511

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,851/year)
  • Larger job market (7,860 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,611)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Port Huron if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,792)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Detroit grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Port Huron over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+25.1%

$62,690 (2019) → $78,450 (2025)

Port Huron, MI

+14.8%

$62,613 (2024) → $71,904 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Detroit or Port Huron?

Detroit has a higher median police officer salary at $80,851/year, compared to Port Huron at $74,104/year — a difference of $6,747 (9.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Port Huron?

Detroit police officers earn $38.87/hr while Port Huron hygienists earn $35.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Port Huron as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Port Huron. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $80,611, Port Huron = $79,511), job availability (7,860 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Detroit vs Port Huron?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $52,190 in Detroit and $47,113 in Port Huron. The Detroit 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