Police Officer Salary

Fort Collins vs Northglenn: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Fort Collins, CO and Northglenn, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Collins, CO
$99,700
$47.93/hr
Northglenn, CO
$94,452
$45.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Collins, CONorthglenn, CO
Median Salary$99,700$94,452
Hourly Rate$47.93$45.41
Entry Level (P10)$77,975$61,507
25th Percentile$77,975$74,486
75th Percentile$100,380$120,603
Top Earner (P90)$105,770$140,133
Total Employed6009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Collins ($99,700) and Northglenn ($94,452) police officer salaries.Fort CollinsNorthglennMedian Salary$99,700$94,452Entry Level (P10)$77,975$61,507Top Earner (P90)$105,770$140,133US Median $78,542

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Northglenn.

The salary gap between Fort Collins and Northglenn is $5,248 (5.56%). Fort Collins's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Collins spans $27,795,Northglenn spans $78,626. Northglenn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$77,975
P25$77,975
Median$99,700
P75$100,380
P90 (Top)$105,770
Northglenn
P10 (Entry)$61,507
P25$74,486
Median$94,452
P75$120,603
P90 (Top)$140,133

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($98,588 effective) pays 9.60% more than Northglenn ($89,954 effective).

Fort Collins
Nominal: $99,700
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $98,588
Northglenn
Nominal: $94,452
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $89,954

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,700/year)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,588)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Northglenn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($140,133)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Fort Collins grew 17.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.8% growth in Northglenn over the same period.

Fort Collins, CO

+17.4%

$82,390 (2019) → $96,740 (2025)

Northglenn, CO

+27.8%

$71,710 (2024) → $91,648 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Fort Collins or Northglenn?

Fort Collins has a higher median police officer salary at $99,700/year, compared to Northglenn at $94,452/year — a difference of $5,248 (5.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Collins and Northglenn?

Fort Collins police officers earn $47.93/hr while Northglenn hygienists earn $45.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Collins to Northglenn as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Collins and Northglenn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Collins = $98,588, Northglenn = $89,954), job availability (600 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Fort Collins vs Northglenn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $77,975 in Fort Collins and $61,507 in Northglenn. The Fort Collins 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