Police Officer Salary

Nogales vs Prescott Valley: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Nogales, AZ and Prescott Valley, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Nogales, AZ
$71,870
$34.56/hr
Prescott Valley, AZ
$76,295
$36.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNogales, AZPrescott Valley, AZ
Median Salary$71,870$76,295
Hourly Rate$34.56$36.68
Entry Level (P10)$45,066$60,671
25th Percentile$59,730$63,660
75th Percentile$88,211$79,995
Top Earner (P90)$99,634$94,403
Total Employed5480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nogales ($71,870) and Prescott Valley ($76,295) police officer salaries.NogalesPrescott ValleyMedian Salary$71,870$76,295Entry Level (P10)$45,066$60,671Top Earner (P90)$99,634$94,403US Median $78,542

Verdict

Prescott Valley, AZ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Nogales.

The salary gap between Nogales and Prescott Valley is $4,425 (6.16%). Prescott Valley's median is -2.86% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nogales spans $54,568,Prescott Valley spans $33,732. Nogales has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Nogales
P10 (Entry)$45,066
P25$59,730
Median$71,870
P75$88,211
P90 (Top)$99,634
Prescott Valley
P10 (Entry)$60,671
P25$63,660
Median$76,295
P75$79,995
P90 (Top)$94,403

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prescott Valley ($77,650 effective) pays 6.42% more than Nogales ($72,964 effective).

Nogales
Nominal: $71,870
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $72,964
Prescott Valley
Nominal: $76,295
CoL Index: 98.255
Adjusted: $77,650

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nogales if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,634)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Prescott Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,295/year)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,650)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Nogales grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.6% growth in Prescott Valley over the same period.

Nogales, AZ

+10.5%

$63,095 (2024) → $69,736 (2025)

Prescott Valley, AZ

+-1.6%

$75,220 (2024) → $74,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Nogales or Prescott Valley?

Prescott Valley has a higher median police officer salary at $76,295/year, compared to Nogales at $71,870/year — a difference of $4,425 (6.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nogales and Prescott Valley?

Nogales police officers earn $34.56/hr while Prescott Valley hygienists earn $36.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nogales to Prescott Valley as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nogales and Prescott Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nogales = $72,964, Prescott Valley = $77,650), job availability (5 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Nogales vs Prescott Valley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,066 in Nogales and $60,671 in Prescott Valley. The Prescott Valley 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