Police Officer Salary

Duluth vs Savage: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Duluth, MN and Savage, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$78,552
$37.76/hr
Savage, MN
$76,955
$37.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSavage, MN
Median Salary$78,552$76,955
Hourly Rate$37.76$37.00
Entry Level (P10)$60,084$52,510
25th Percentile$70,359$62,457
75th Percentile$95,372$98,319
Top Earner (P90)$105,884$114,269
Total Employed5109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($78,552) and Savage ($76,955) police officer salaries.DuluthSavageMedian Salary$78,552$76,955Entry Level (P10)$60,084$52,510Top Earner (P90)$105,884$114,269US Median $78,542

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Savage.

The salary gap between Duluth and Savage is $1,597 (2.08%). Duluth's median is +0.01% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $45,800,Savage spans $61,759. Savage has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$60,084
P25$70,359
Median$78,552
P75$95,372
P90 (Top)$105,884
Savage
P10 (Entry)$52,510
P25$62,457
Median$76,955
P75$98,319
P90 (Top)$114,269

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($88,491 effective) pays 13.27% more than Savage ($78,127 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $78,552
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $88,491
Savage
Nominal: $76,955
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $78,127

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,552/year)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,491)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Savage if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,269)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Duluth grew 17.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.5% growth in Savage over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+17.1%

$65,100 (2019) → $76,220 (2025)

Savage, MN

+0.5%

$74,284 (2024) → $74,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Duluth or Savage?

Duluth has a higher median police officer salary at $78,552/year, compared to Savage at $76,955/year — a difference of $1,597 (2.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Savage?

Duluth police officers earn $37.76/hr while Savage hygienists earn $37.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Savage as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Savage. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $88,491, Savage = $78,127), job availability (510 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Duluth vs Savage?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $60,084 in Duluth and $52,510 in Savage. The Duluth 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