Police Officer Salary

Minneapolis vs Northfield: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Minneapolis, MN and Northfield, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Minneapolis, MN
$100,164
$48.16/hr
Northfield, MN
$75,993
$36.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNNorthfield, MN
Median Salary$100,164$75,993
Hourly Rate$48.16$36.53
Entry Level (P10)$65,278$49,494
25th Percentile$82,788$59,734
75th Percentile$105,966$94,446
Top Earner (P90)$112,572$107,522
Total Employed5,5706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($100,164) and Northfield ($75,993) police officer salaries.MinneapolisNorthfieldMedian Salary$100,164$75,993Entry Level (P10)$65,278$49,494Top Earner (P90)$112,572$107,522US Median $78,542

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northfield.

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Northfield is $24,171 (31.81%). Minneapolis's median is +27.53% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minneapolis spans $47,294,Northfield spans $58,028. Northfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$65,278
P25$82,788
Median$100,164
P75$105,966
P90 (Top)$112,572
Northfield
P10 (Entry)$49,494
P25$59,734
Median$75,993
P75$94,446
P90 (Top)$107,522

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($95,556 effective) pays 23.86% more than Northfield ($77,150 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $100,164
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $95,556
Northfield
Nominal: $75,993
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $77,150

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,164/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,572)
  • Larger job market (5,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,556)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Northfield if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Minneapolis grew 22.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.5% growth in Northfield over the same period.

Minneapolis, MN

+22.0%

$79,670 (2019) → $97,190 (2025)

Northfield, MN

+0.5%

$73,356 (2024) → $73,737 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Minneapolis or Northfield?

Minneapolis has a higher median police officer salary at $100,164/year, compared to Northfield at $75,993/year — a difference of $24,171 (31.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Northfield?

Minneapolis police officers earn $48.16/hr while Northfield hygienists earn $36.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minneapolis to Northfield as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Northfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $95,556, Northfield = $77,150), job availability (5,570 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Minneapolis vs Northfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $65,278 in Minneapolis and $49,494 in Northfield. The Minneapolis 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