Police Officer Salary

Grand Rapids vs Taylor: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Grand Rapids, MI and Taylor, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$77,213
$37.12/hr
Taylor, MI
$74,313
$35.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MITaylor, MI
Median Salary$77,213$74,313
Hourly Rate$37.12$35.73
Entry Level (P10)$45,522$43,412
25th Percentile$61,650$59,758
75th Percentile$84,252$93,926
Top Earner (P90)$87,704$109,633
Total Employed1,44016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($77,213) and Taylor ($74,313) police officer salaries.Grand RapidsTaylorMedian Salary$77,213$74,313Entry Level (P10)$45,522$43,412Top Earner (P90)$87,704$109,633US Median $78,542

Verdict

Grand Rapids, MI offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Taylor.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Taylor is $2,900 (3.90%). Grand Rapids's median is -1.69% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Rapids spans $42,182,Taylor spans $66,221. Taylor has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$45,522
P25$61,650
Median$77,213
P75$84,252
P90 (Top)$87,704
Taylor
P10 (Entry)$43,412
P25$59,758
Median$74,313
P75$93,926
P90 (Top)$109,633

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($80,812 effective) pays 1.35% more than Taylor ($79,735 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $77,213
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $80,812
Taylor
Nominal: $74,313
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $79,735

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,213/year)
  • Larger job market (1,440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,812)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Taylor if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,633)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Grand Rapids grew 12.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Taylor over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+12.4%

$66,660 (2019) → $74,920 (2025)

Taylor, MI

+14.8%

$62,790 (2024) → $72,107 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Grand Rapids or Taylor?

Grand Rapids has a higher median police officer salary at $77,213/year, compared to Taylor at $74,313/year — a difference of $2,900 (3.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Taylor?

Grand Rapids police officers earn $37.12/hr while Taylor hygienists earn $35.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to Taylor as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Taylor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $80,812, Taylor = $79,735), job availability (1,440 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Grand Rapids vs Taylor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,522 in Grand Rapids and $43,412 in Taylor. The Grand Rapids 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