Police Officer Salary

Lansing vs Mount Pleasant: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Lansing, MI and Mount Pleasant, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$77,986
$37.49/hr
Mount Pleasant, MI
$69,968
$33.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIMount Pleasant, MI
Median Salary$77,986$69,968
Hourly Rate$37.49$33.64
Entry Level (P10)$54,395$48,666
25th Percentile$62,506$57,305
75th Percentile$83,180$85,109
Top Earner (P90)$99,700$99,934
Total Employed9206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($77,986) and Mount Pleasant ($69,968) police officer salaries.LansingMount PleasantMedian Salary$77,986$69,968Entry Level (P10)$54,395$48,666Top Earner (P90)$99,700$99,934US Median $78,542

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Pleasant.

The salary gap between Lansing and Mount Pleasant is $8,018 (11.46%). Lansing's median is -0.71% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $45,305,Mount Pleasant spans $51,268. Mount Pleasant has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$54,395
P25$62,506
Median$77,986
P75$83,180
P90 (Top)$99,700
Mount Pleasant
P10 (Entry)$48,666
P25$57,305
Median$69,968
P75$85,109
P90 (Top)$99,934

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($82,098 effective) pays 9.36% more than Mount Pleasant ($75,073 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $77,986
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $82,098
Mount Pleasant
Nominal: $69,968
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $75,073

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,986/year)
  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,098)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Pleasant if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,934)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Lansing grew 23.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Mount Pleasant over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+23.4%

$61,300 (2019) → $75,670 (2025)

Mount Pleasant, MI

+14.8%

$59,118 (2024) → $67,891 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Lansing or Mount Pleasant?

Lansing has a higher median police officer salary at $77,986/year, compared to Mount Pleasant at $69,968/year — a difference of $8,018 (11.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Mount Pleasant?

Lansing police officers earn $37.49/hr while Mount Pleasant hygienists earn $33.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Mount Pleasant as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Mount Pleasant. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $82,098, Mount Pleasant = $75,073), job availability (920 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Lansing vs Mount Pleasant?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $54,395 in Lansing and $48,666 in Mount Pleasant. The Lansing 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