Police Officer Salary

Hoboken vs Trenton: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Hoboken, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hoboken, NJ
$87,666
$42.15/hr
Trenton, NJ
$71,276
$34.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHoboken, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$87,666$71,276
Hourly Rate$42.15$34.27
Entry Level (P10)$52,840$50,458
25th Percentile$66,254$62,413
75th Percentile$111,888$100,947
Top Earner (P90)$130,805$115,664
Total Employed15840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hoboken ($87,666) and Trenton ($71,276) police officer salaries.HobokenTrentonMedian Salary$87,666$71,276Entry Level (P10)$52,840$50,458Top Earner (P90)$130,805$115,664US Median $78,542

Verdict

Hoboken, NJ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Hoboken and Trenton is $16,390 (23.00%). Hoboken's median is +11.62% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hoboken spans $77,965,Trenton spans $65,206. Hoboken has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hoboken
P10 (Entry)$52,840
P25$66,254
Median$87,666
P75$111,888
P90 (Top)$130,805
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$50,458
P25$62,413
Median$71,276
P75$100,947
P90 (Top)$115,664

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hoboken ($76,099 effective) pays 10.16% more than Trenton ($69,079 effective).

Hoboken
Nominal: $87,666
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $76,099
Trenton
Nominal: $71,276
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $69,079

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hoboken if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,666/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,805)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,099)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (840 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Hoboken grew -19.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.5% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Hoboken, NJ

+-19.8%

$106,036 (2024) → $85,063 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+-3.5%

$71,660 (2019) → $69,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Hoboken or Trenton?

Hoboken has a higher median police officer salary at $87,666/year, compared to Trenton at $71,276/year — a difference of $16,390 (23.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hoboken and Trenton?

Hoboken police officers earn $42.15/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $34.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hoboken to Trenton as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hoboken and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hoboken = $76,099, Trenton = $69,079), job availability (15 vs 840 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Hoboken vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $52,840 in Hoboken and $50,458 in Trenton. The Hoboken 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