Police Officer Salary

Marana vs Phoenix: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Marana, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Marana, AZ
$76,931
$36.99/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$87,653
$42.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMarana, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$76,931$87,653
Hourly Rate$36.99$42.14
Entry Level (P10)$47,364$66,525
25th Percentile$58,902$79,387
75th Percentile$97,249$101,576
Top Earner (P90)$113,225$101,576
Total Employed77,860
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Marana ($76,931) and Phoenix ($87,653) police officer salaries.MaranaPhoenixMedian Salary$76,931$87,653Entry Level (P10)$47,364$66,525Top Earner (P90)$113,225$101,576US Median $78,542

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marana.

The salary gap between Marana and Phoenix is $10,722 (13.94%). Phoenix's median is +11.60% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Marana spans $65,861,Phoenix spans $35,051. Marana has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Marana
P10 (Entry)$47,364
P25$58,902
Median$76,931
P75$97,249
P90 (Top)$113,225
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$66,525
P25$79,387
Median$87,653
P75$101,576
P90 (Top)$101,576

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($84,840 effective) pays 8.63% more than Marana ($78,103 effective).

Marana
Nominal: $76,931
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $78,103
Phoenix
Nominal: $87,653
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $84,840

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Marana if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,225)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,653/year)
  • Larger job market (7,860 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,840)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Marana grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

Marana, AZ

+10.5%

$67,538 (2024) → $74,647 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+18.7%

$71,660 (2019) → $85,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Marana or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a higher median police officer salary at $87,653/year, compared to Marana at $76,931/year — a difference of $10,722 (13.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Marana and Phoenix?

Marana police officers earn $36.99/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $42.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Marana to Phoenix as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Marana and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Marana = $78,103, Phoenix = $84,840), job availability (7 vs 7,860 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Marana vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $47,364 in Marana and $66,525 in Phoenix. The Phoenix 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