Police Officer Salary

Mount Laurel vs Trenton: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Mount Laurel, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mount Laurel, NJ
$86,310
$41.49/hr
Trenton, NJ
$71,276
$34.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMount Laurel, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$86,310$71,276
Hourly Rate$41.49$34.27
Entry Level (P10)$56,899$50,458
25th Percentile$68,662$62,413
75th Percentile$108,974$100,947
Top Earner (P90)$125,708$115,664
Total Employed11840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mount Laurel ($86,310) and Trenton ($71,276) police officer salaries.Mount LaurelTrentonMedian Salary$86,310$71,276Entry Level (P10)$56,899$50,458Top Earner (P90)$125,708$115,664US Median $78,542

Verdict

Mount Laurel, NJ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Mount Laurel and Trenton is $15,034 (21.09%). Mount Laurel's median is +9.89% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mount Laurel spans $68,809,Trenton spans $65,206. Mount Laurel has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mount Laurel
P10 (Entry)$56,899
P25$68,662
Median$86,310
P75$108,974
P90 (Top)$125,708
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$50,458
P25$62,413
Median$71,276
P75$100,947
P90 (Top)$115,664

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Laurel ($74,922 effective) pays 8.46% more than Trenton ($69,079 effective).

Mount Laurel
Nominal: $86,310
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $74,922
Trenton
Nominal: $71,276
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $69,079

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mount Laurel if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,310/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,708)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,922)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (840 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Mount Laurel grew -19.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.5% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Mount Laurel, NJ

+-19.8%

$104,395 (2024) → $83,747 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+-3.5%

$71,660 (2019) → $69,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Mount Laurel or Trenton?

Mount Laurel has a higher median police officer salary at $86,310/year, compared to Trenton at $71,276/year — a difference of $15,034 (21.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mount Laurel and Trenton?

Mount Laurel police officers earn $41.49/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $34.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mount Laurel to Trenton as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mount Laurel and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mount Laurel = $74,922, Trenton = $69,079), job availability (11 vs 840 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Mount Laurel vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $56,899 in Mount Laurel and $50,458 in Trenton. The Mount Laurel 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