Police Officer Salary

New Haven vs New London: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between New Haven, CT and New London, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$84,684
$40.72/hr
New London, CT
$81,435
$39.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTNew London, CT
Median Salary$84,684$81,435
Hourly Rate$40.72$39.15
Entry Level (P10)$63,598$54,707
25th Percentile$77,645$65,712
75th Percentile$96,176$103,674
Top Earner (P90)$108,244$120,314
Total Employed1,3005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($84,684) and New London ($81,435) police officer salaries.New HavenNew LondonMedian Salary$84,684$81,435Entry Level (P10)$63,598$54,707Top Earner (P90)$108,244$120,314US Median $78,542

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New London.

The salary gap between New Haven and New London is $3,249 (3.99%). New Haven's median is +7.82% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $44,646,New London spans $65,607. New London has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$63,598
P25$77,645
Median$84,684
P75$96,176
P90 (Top)$108,244
New London
P10 (Entry)$54,707
P25$65,712
Median$81,435
P75$103,674
P90 (Top)$120,314

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($80,992 effective) pays 7.31% more than New London ($75,473 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $84,684
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $80,992
New London
Nominal: $81,435
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $75,473

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,684/year)
  • Larger job market (1,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,992)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose New London if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($120,314)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in New Haven grew 10.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.3% growth in New London over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+10.8%

$74,190 (2019) → $82,170 (2025)

New London, CT

+-7.3%

$85,216 (2024) → $79,017 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: New Haven or New London?

New Haven has a higher median police officer salary at $84,684/year, compared to New London at $81,435/year — a difference of $3,249 (3.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and New London?

New Haven police officers earn $40.72/hr while New London hygienists earn $39.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to New London as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and New London. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $80,992, New London = $75,473), job availability (1,300 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in New Haven vs New London?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $63,598 in New Haven and $54,707 in New London. The New Haven 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