Police Officer Salary

Fall River vs Springfield: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Fall River, MA
$80,572
$38.74/hr
Springfield, MA
$85,591
$41.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFall River, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$80,572$85,591
Hourly Rate$38.74$41.15
Entry Level (P10)$53,297$53,591
25th Percentile$64,443$71,050
75th Percentile$103,132$94,341
Top Earner (P90)$123,199$130,763
Total Employed211,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fall River ($80,572) and Springfield ($85,591) police officer salaries.Fall RiverSpringfieldMedian Salary$80,572$85,591Entry Level (P10)$53,297$53,591Top Earner (P90)$123,199$130,763US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fall River and Springfield is $5,019 (6.23%). 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 Fall River spans $69,902,Springfield spans $77,172. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Fall River
P10 (Entry)$53,297
P25$64,443
Median$80,572
P75$103,132
P90 (Top)$123,199
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 19.98% more than Fall River ($74,260 effective).

Fall River
Nominal: $80,572
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $74,260
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 Fall River 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 Fall River grew -11.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.9% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Fall River, MA

+-11.0%

$87,830 (2024) → $78,180 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+28.9%

$64,430 (2019) → $83,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Fall River or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median police officer salary at $85,591/year, compared to Fall River at $80,572/year — a difference of $5,019 (6.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fall River and Springfield?

Fall River police officers earn $38.74/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $41.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fall River to Springfield as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fall River and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fall River = $74,260, Springfield = $89,101), job availability (21 vs 1,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $53,297 in Fall River 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