Police Officer Salary

Dracut vs Springfield: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Dracut, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dracut, MA
$78,178
$37.59/hr
Springfield, MA
$85,591
$41.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDracut, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$78,178$85,591
Hourly Rate$37.59$41.15
Entry Level (P10)$52,147$53,591
25th Percentile$62,566$71,050
75th Percentile$99,144$94,341
Top Earner (P90)$114,483$130,763
Total Employed61,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dracut ($78,178) and Springfield ($85,591) police officer salaries.DracutSpringfieldMedian Salary$78,178$85,591Entry Level (P10)$52,147$53,591Top Earner (P90)$114,483$130,763US Median $78,542

Verdict

Springfield, MA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dracut.

The salary gap between Dracut and Springfield is $7,413 (9.48%). Springfield's median is +8.97% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dracut spans $62,336,Springfield spans $77,172. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Dracut
P10 (Entry)$52,147
P25$62,566
Median$78,178
P75$99,144
P90 (Top)$114,483
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$53,591
P25$71,050
Median$85,591
P75$94,341
P90 (Top)$130,763

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($89,101 effective) pays 23.66% more than Dracut ($72,053 effective).

Dracut
Nominal: $78,178
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,053
Springfield
Nominal: $85,591
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $89,101

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dracut if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,591/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,763)
  • Larger job market (1,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,101)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Dracut grew -11.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.9% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Dracut, MA

+-11.0%

$85,220 (2024) → $75,857 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+28.9%

$64,430 (2019) → $83,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Dracut or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median police officer salary at $85,591/year, compared to Dracut at $78,178/year — a difference of $7,413 (9.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dracut and Springfield?

Dracut police officers earn $37.59/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $41.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dracut to Springfield as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dracut and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dracut = $72,053, Springfield = $89,101), job availability (6 vs 1,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Dracut vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $52,147 in Dracut and $53,591 in Springfield. The Springfield 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