Police Officer Salary

Lansing vs Saginaw: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$77,986
$37.49/hr
Saginaw, MI
$61,908
$29.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MISaginaw, MI
Median Salary$77,986$61,908
Hourly Rate$37.49$29.76
Entry Level (P10)$54,395$46,109
25th Percentile$62,506$53,210
75th Percentile$83,180$65,711
Top Earner (P90)$99,700$77,604
Total Employed920230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($77,986) and Saginaw ($61,908) police officer salaries.LansingSaginawMedian Salary$77,986$61,908Entry Level (P10)$54,395$46,109Top Earner (P90)$99,700$77,604US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lansing and Saginaw is $16,078 (25.97%). 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,Saginaw spans $31,495. Lansing has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$54,395
P25$62,506
Median$77,986
P75$83,180
P90 (Top)$99,700
Saginaw
P10 (Entry)$46,109
P25$53,210
Median$61,908
P75$65,711
P90 (Top)$77,604

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($82,098 effective) pays 20.53% more than Saginaw ($68,112 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $77,986
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $82,098
Saginaw
Nominal: $61,908
CoL Index: 90.891
Adjusted: $68,112

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,700)
  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,098)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Saginaw if…

  • 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 16.6% growth in Saginaw over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+23.4%

$61,300 (2019) → $75,670 (2025)

Saginaw, MI

+16.6%

$51,520 (2019) → $60,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Lansing or Saginaw?

Lansing has a higher median police officer salary at $77,986/year, compared to Saginaw at $61,908/year — a difference of $16,078 (25.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Saginaw?

Lansing police officers earn $37.49/hr while Saginaw hygienists earn $29.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Saginaw as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Saginaw. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $82,098, Saginaw = $68,112), job availability (920 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $54,395 in Lansing and $46,109 in Saginaw. 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