Police Officer Salary

Gettysburg vs Pittsburgh: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Gettysburg, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gettysburg, PA
$94,331
$45.35/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$85,736
$41.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGettysburg, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$94,331$85,736
Hourly Rate$45.35$41.21
Entry Level (P10)$59,105$52,014
25th Percentile$76,254$66,608
75th Percentile$119,251$101,586
Top Earner (P90)$123,878$110,923
Total Employed2305,080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gettysburg ($94,331) and Pittsburgh ($85,736) police officer salaries.GettysburgPittsburghMedian Salary$94,331$85,736Entry Level (P10)$59,105$52,014Top Earner (P90)$123,878$110,923US Median $78,542

Verdict

Gettysburg, PA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pittsburgh.

The salary gap between Gettysburg and Pittsburgh is $8,595 (10.02%). Gettysburg's median is +20.10% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gettysburg spans $64,773,Pittsburgh spans $58,909. Gettysburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gettysburg
P10 (Entry)$59,105
P25$76,254
Median$94,331
P75$119,251
P90 (Top)$123,878
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$52,014
P25$66,608
Median$85,736
P75$101,586
P90 (Top)$110,923

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gettysburg ($98,901 effective) pays 9.21% more than Pittsburgh ($90,562 effective).

Gettysburg
Nominal: $94,331
CoL Index: 95.379
Adjusted: $98,901
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $85,736
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $90,562

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gettysburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,331/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,878)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,901)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Larger job market (5,080 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Gettysburg grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.0% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

Gettysburg, PA

+11.4%

$82,180 (2019) → $91,530 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+25.0%

$66,550 (2019) → $83,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Gettysburg or Pittsburgh?

Gettysburg has a higher median police officer salary at $94,331/year, compared to Pittsburgh at $85,736/year — a difference of $8,595 (10.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gettysburg and Pittsburgh?

Gettysburg police officers earn $45.35/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $41.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gettysburg to Pittsburgh as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gettysburg and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gettysburg = $98,901, Pittsburgh = $90,562), job availability (230 vs 5,080 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Gettysburg vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $59,105 in Gettysburg and $52,014 in Pittsburgh. The Gettysburg 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