Police Officer Salary

Middletown vs Vineland: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Middletown, NJ
$89,078
$42.82/hr
Vineland, NJ
$69,576
$33.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddletown, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$89,078$69,576
Hourly Rate$42.82$33.45
Entry Level (P10)$58,628$52,169
25th Percentile$70,956$63,299
75th Percentile$111,912$86,581
Top Earner (P90)$130,289$118,540
Total Employed15260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middletown ($89,078) and Vineland ($69,576) police officer salaries.MiddletownVinelandMedian Salary$89,078$69,576Entry Level (P10)$58,628$52,169Top Earner (P90)$130,289$118,540US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Middletown and Vineland is $19,502 (28.03%). Middletown's median is +13.41% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middletown spans $71,661,Vineland spans $66,371. Middletown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Middletown
P10 (Entry)$58,628
P25$70,956
Median$89,078
P75$111,912
P90 (Top)$130,289
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$52,169
P25$63,299
Median$69,576
P75$86,581
P90 (Top)$118,540

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Middletown ($77,325 effective) pays 6.66% more than Vineland ($72,499 effective).

Middletown
Nominal: $89,078
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $77,325
Vineland
Nominal: $69,576
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $72,499

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middletown if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,078/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,289)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,325)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Middletown grew -19.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -7.0% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Middletown, NJ

+-19.8%

$107,743 (2024) → $86,433 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+-7.0%

$72,610 (2019) → $67,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Middletown or Vineland?

Middletown has a higher median police officer salary at $89,078/year, compared to Vineland at $69,576/year — a difference of $19,502 (28.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middletown and Vineland?

Middletown police officers earn $42.82/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $33.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middletown to Vineland as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middletown and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middletown = $77,325, Vineland = $72,499), job availability (15 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Middletown vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $58,628 in Middletown and $52,169 in Vineland. The Middletown 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