Police Officer Salary

Greenfield vs Madison: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Greenfield, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenfield, WI
$80,066
$38.49/hr
Madison, WI
$83,046
$39.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenfield, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$80,066$83,046
Hourly Rate$38.49$39.93
Entry Level (P10)$51,738$63,619
25th Percentile$62,844$78,862
75th Percentile$100,221$87,457
Top Earner (P90)$115,484$101,421
Total Employed91,600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenfield ($80,066) and Madison ($83,046) police officer salaries.GreenfieldMadisonMedian Salary$80,066$83,046Entry Level (P10)$51,738$63,619Top Earner (P90)$115,484$101,421US Median $78,542

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Greenfield.

The salary gap between Greenfield and Madison is $2,980 (3.72%). Madison's median is +5.73% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenfield spans $63,746,Madison spans $37,802. Greenfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greenfield
P10 (Entry)$51,738
P25$62,844
Median$80,066
P75$100,221
P90 (Top)$115,484
Madison
P10 (Entry)$63,619
P25$78,862
Median$83,046
P75$87,457
P90 (Top)$101,421

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenfield ($85,724 effective) pays 0.42% more than Madison ($85,362 effective).

Greenfield
Nominal: $80,066
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $85,724
Madison
Nominal: $83,046
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $85,362

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,484)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,724)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,046/year)
  • Larger job market (1,600 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Greenfield grew 23.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Madison over the same period.

Greenfield, WI

+23.0%

$63,137 (2024) → $77,689 (2025)

Madison, WI

+26.5%

$63,720 (2019) → $80,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Greenfield or Madison?

Madison has a higher median police officer salary at $83,046/year, compared to Greenfield at $80,066/year — a difference of $2,980 (3.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenfield and Madison?

Greenfield police officers earn $38.49/hr while Madison hygienists earn $39.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenfield to Madison as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenfield and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenfield = $85,724, Madison = $85,362), job availability (9 vs 1,600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Greenfield vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $51,738 in Greenfield and $63,619 in Madison. The Madison 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