Police Officer Salary

Florence vs Tucson: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Florence, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, AZ
$74,477
$35.80/hr
Tucson, AZ
$79,325
$38.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$74,477$79,325
Hourly Rate$35.80$38.13
Entry Level (P10)$45,856$59,764
25th Percentile$56,780$65,577
75th Percentile$93,203$90,044
Top Earner (P90)$111,977$103,586
Total Employed51,600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($74,477) and Tucson ($79,325) police officer salaries.FlorenceTucsonMedian Salary$74,477$79,325Entry Level (P10)$45,856$59,764Top Earner (P90)$111,977$103,586US Median $78,542

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Tucson is $4,848 (6.51%). Tucson's median is +1.00% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $66,121,Tucson spans $43,822. Florence has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$45,856
P25$56,780
Median$74,477
P75$93,203
P90 (Top)$111,977
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$59,764
P25$65,577
Median$79,325
P75$90,044
P90 (Top)$103,586

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($81,866 effective) pays 8.27% more than Florence ($75,611 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $74,477
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $75,611
Tucson
Nominal: $79,325
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $81,866

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($111,977)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,325/year)
  • Larger job market (1,600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,866)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Florence grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.1% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Florence, AZ

+10.5%

$65,384 (2024) → $72,266 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+24.1%

$62,040 (2020) → $76,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Florence or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median police officer salary at $79,325/year, compared to Florence at $74,477/year — a difference of $4,848 (6.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Tucson?

Florence police officers earn $35.80/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $38.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Tucson as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $75,611, Tucson = $81,866), job availability (5 vs 1,600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Florence vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,856 in Florence and $59,764 in Tucson. The Tucson 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