Police Officer Salary

Greenbelt vs Hagerstown: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Greenbelt, MD
$81,280
$39.08/hr
Hagerstown, MD
$68,040
$32.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenbelt, MDHagerstown, MD
Median Salary$81,280$68,040
Hourly Rate$39.08$32.71
Entry Level (P10)$51,764$58,631
25th Percentile$63,037$64,114
75th Percentile$103,219$86,375
Top Earner (P90)$118,560$99,309
Total Employed4360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenbelt ($81,280) and Hagerstown ($68,040) police officer salaries.GreenbeltHagerstownMedian Salary$81,280$68,040Entry Level (P10)$51,764$58,631Top Earner (P90)$118,560$99,309US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Greenbelt and Hagerstown is $13,240 (19.46%). Greenbelt's median is +3.49% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenbelt spans $66,796,Hagerstown spans $40,678. Greenbelt has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greenbelt
P10 (Entry)$51,764
P25$63,037
Median$81,280
P75$103,219
P90 (Top)$118,560
Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$58,631
P25$64,114
Median$68,040
P75$86,375
P90 (Top)$99,309

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenbelt ($74,364 effective) pays 2.92% more than Hagerstown ($72,252 effective).

Greenbelt
Nominal: $81,280
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $74,364
Hagerstown
Nominal: $68,040
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $72,252

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenbelt if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,280/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,560)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,364)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Greenbelt grew -2.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.8% growth in Hagerstown over the same period.

Greenbelt, MD

+-2.3%

$80,719 (2024) → $78,867 (2025)

Hagerstown, MD

+22.8%

$53,750 (2019) → $66,020 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Greenbelt or Hagerstown?

Greenbelt has a higher median police officer salary at $81,280/year, compared to Hagerstown at $68,040/year — a difference of $13,240 (19.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenbelt and Hagerstown?

Greenbelt police officers earn $39.08/hr while Hagerstown hygienists earn $32.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenbelt to Hagerstown as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenbelt and Hagerstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenbelt = $74,364, Hagerstown = $72,252), job availability (4 vs 360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Greenbelt vs Hagerstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $51,764 in Greenbelt and $58,631 in Hagerstown. The Hagerstown 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