Police Officer Salary

Frederick vs Salisbury: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Frederick, MD and Salisbury, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Frederick, MD
$83,986
$40.38/hr
Salisbury, MD
$60,373
$29.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFrederick, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$83,986$60,373
Hourly Rate$40.38$29.02
Entry Level (P10)$54,437$49,551
25th Percentile$66,271$58,497
75th Percentile$107,502$87,653
Top Earner (P90)$130,178$106,677
Total Employed15320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Frederick ($83,986) and Salisbury ($60,373) police officer salaries.FrederickSalisburyMedian Salary$83,986$60,373Entry Level (P10)$54,437$49,551Top Earner (P90)$130,178$106,677US Median $78,542

Verdict

Frederick, MD offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Frederick and Salisbury is $23,613 (39.11%). Frederick's median is +6.93% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Frederick spans $75,741,Salisbury spans $57,126. Frederick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Frederick
P10 (Entry)$54,437
P25$66,271
Median$83,986
P75$107,502
P90 (Top)$130,178
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$49,551
P25$58,497
Median$60,373
P75$87,653
P90 (Top)$106,677

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Frederick ($76,840 effective) pays 21.70% more than Salisbury ($63,140 effective).

Frederick
Nominal: $83,986
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $76,840
Salisbury
Nominal: $60,373
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $63,140

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Frederick if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,986/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,178)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,840)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Frederick grew -2.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.3% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Frederick, MD

+-2.3%

$83,406 (2024) → $81,492 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+1.3%

$57,830 (2019) → $58,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Frederick or Salisbury?

Frederick has a higher median police officer salary at $83,986/year, compared to Salisbury at $60,373/year — a difference of $23,613 (39.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Frederick and Salisbury?

Frederick police officers earn $40.38/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $29.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Frederick to Salisbury as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Frederick and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Frederick = $76,840, Salisbury = $63,140), job availability (15 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Frederick vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $54,437 in Frederick and $49,551 in Salisbury. The Frederick 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