Police Officer Salary

Fremont vs Lincoln: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Fremont, NE and Lincoln, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fremont, NE
$69,735
$33.53/hr
Lincoln, NE
$96,547
$46.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFremont, NELincoln, NE
Median Salary$69,735$96,547
Hourly Rate$33.53$46.42
Entry Level (P10)$42,245$64,577
25th Percentile$55,354$76,728
75th Percentile$89,260$96,835
Top Earner (P90)$104,034$97,938
Total Employed4510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fremont ($69,735) and Lincoln ($96,547) police officer salaries.FremontLincolnMedian Salary$69,735$96,547Entry Level (P10)$42,245$64,577Top Earner (P90)$104,034$97,938US Median $78,542

Verdict

Lincoln, NE offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fremont.

The salary gap between Fremont and Lincoln is $26,812 (38.45%). Lincoln's median is +22.92% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fremont spans $61,789,Lincoln spans $33,361. Fremont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fremont
P10 (Entry)$42,245
P25$55,354
Median$69,735
P75$89,260
P90 (Top)$104,034
Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$64,577
P25$76,728
Median$96,547
P75$96,835
P90 (Top)$97,938

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lincoln ($105,423 effective) pays 38.33% more than Fremont ($76,213 effective).

Fremont
Nominal: $69,735
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $76,213
Lincoln
Nominal: $96,547
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $105,423

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fremont if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($104,034)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Lincoln if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,547/year)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,423)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Fremont grew 22.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.7% growth in Lincoln over the same period.

Fremont, NE

+22.9%

$55,048 (2024) → $67,664 (2025)

Lincoln, NE

+39.7%

$67,040 (2019) → $93,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Fremont or Lincoln?

Lincoln has a higher median police officer salary at $96,547/year, compared to Fremont at $69,735/year — a difference of $26,812 (38.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fremont and Lincoln?

Fremont police officers earn $33.53/hr while Lincoln hygienists earn $46.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fremont to Lincoln as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fremont and Lincoln. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fremont = $76,213, Lincoln = $105,423), job availability (4 vs 510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Fremont vs Lincoln?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $42,245 in Fremont and $64,577 in Lincoln. The Lincoln 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