Police Officer Salary

Edison vs Trenton: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Edison, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Edison, NJ
$89,276
$42.92/hr
Trenton, NJ
$71,276
$34.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdison, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$89,276$71,276
Hourly Rate$42.92$34.27
Entry Level (P10)$55,153$50,458
25th Percentile$68,554$62,413
75th Percentile$114,273$100,947
Top Earner (P90)$138,378$115,664
Total Employed20840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edison ($89,276) and Trenton ($71,276) police officer salaries.EdisonTrentonMedian Salary$89,276$71,276Entry Level (P10)$55,153$50,458Top Earner (P90)$138,378$115,664US Median $78,542

Verdict

Edison, NJ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Edison and Trenton is $18,000 (25.25%). Edison's median is +13.67% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edison spans $83,225,Trenton spans $65,206. Edison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edison
P10 (Entry)$55,153
P25$68,554
Median$89,276
P75$114,273
P90 (Top)$138,378
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$50,458
P25$62,413
Median$71,276
P75$100,947
P90 (Top)$115,664

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Edison ($77,497 effective) pays 12.18% more than Trenton ($69,079 effective).

Edison
Nominal: $89,276
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $77,497
Trenton
Nominal: $71,276
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $69,079

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edison if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,276/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($138,378)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,497)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (840 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Edison grew -19.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.5% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Edison, NJ

+-19.8%

$107,983 (2024) → $86,625 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+-3.5%

$71,660 (2019) → $69,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Edison or Trenton?

Edison has a higher median police officer salary at $89,276/year, compared to Trenton at $71,276/year — a difference of $18,000 (25.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edison and Trenton?

Edison police officers earn $42.92/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $34.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edison to Trenton as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edison and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edison = $77,497, Trenton = $69,079), job availability (20 vs 840 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Edison vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $55,153 in Edison and $50,458 in Trenton. The Edison area offers higher starting salaries.
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