Police Officer Salary

Moses Lake vs Spokane: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Moses Lake, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moses Lake, WA
$99,231
$47.71/hr
Spokane, WA
$98,587
$47.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoses Lake, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$99,231$98,587
Hourly Rate$47.71$47.40
Entry Level (P10)$67,238$70,637
25th Percentile$80,266$93,001
75th Percentile$126,593$102,947
Top Earner (P90)$146,669$108,131
Total Employed4600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moses Lake ($99,231) and Spokane ($98,587) police officer salaries.Moses LakeSpokaneMedian Salary$99,231$98,587Entry Level (P10)$67,238$70,637Top Earner (P90)$146,669$108,131US Median $78,542

Verdict

Moses Lake, WA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Moses Lake and Spokane is $644 (0.65%). Moses Lake's median is +26.34% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moses Lake spans $79,431,Spokane spans $37,494. Moses Lake has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Moses Lake
P10 (Entry)$67,238
P25$80,266
Median$99,231
P75$126,593
P90 (Top)$146,669
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$70,637
P25$93,001
Median$98,587
P75$102,947
P90 (Top)$108,131

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($98,247 effective) pays 6.34% more than Moses Lake ($92,394 effective).

Moses Lake
Nominal: $99,231
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $92,394
Spokane
Nominal: $98,587
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $98,247

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moses Lake if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,231/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,669)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,247)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Moses Lake grew 5.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.6% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Moses Lake, WA

+5.6%

$91,174 (2024) → $96,285 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+26.6%

$75,590 (2019) → $95,660 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Moses Lake or Spokane?

Moses Lake has a higher median police officer salary at $99,231/year, compared to Spokane at $98,587/year — a difference of $644 (0.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moses Lake and Spokane?

Moses Lake police officers earn $47.71/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $47.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moses Lake to Spokane as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moses Lake and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moses Lake = $92,394, Spokane = $98,247), job availability (4 vs 600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Moses Lake vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $67,238 in Moses Lake and $70,637 in Spokane. The Spokane 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