Police Officer Salary

North Kingstown vs Pawtucket: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between North Kingstown, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Kingstown, RI
$75,706
$36.40/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$78,849
$37.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Kingstown, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$75,706$78,849
Hourly Rate$36.40$37.91
Entry Level (P10)$50,579$47,424
25th Percentile$60,705$59,454
75th Percentile$96,065$100,438
Top Earner (P90)$111,051$122,216
Total Employed416
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Kingstown ($75,706) and Pawtucket ($78,849) police officer salaries.North KingstownPawtucketMedian Salary$75,706$78,849Entry Level (P10)$50,579$47,424Top Earner (P90)$111,051$122,216US Median $78,542

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Kingstown.

The salary gap between North Kingstown and Pawtucket is $3,143 (4.15%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Kingstown spans $60,472,Pawtucket spans $74,792. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

North Kingstown
P10 (Entry)$50,579
P25$60,705
Median$75,706
P75$96,065
P90 (Top)$111,051
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$47,424
P25$59,454
Median$78,849
P75$100,438
P90 (Top)$122,216

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($78,457 effective) pays 4.15% more than North Kingstown ($75,329 effective).

North Kingstown
Nominal: $75,706
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $75,329
Pawtucket
Nominal: $78,849
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $78,457

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Kingstown if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,849/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,216)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,457)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in North Kingstown grew 5.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.8% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

North Kingstown, RI

+5.8%

$69,400 (2024) → $73,458 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+5.8%

$72,281 (2024) → $76,508 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: North Kingstown or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median police officer salary at $78,849/year, compared to North Kingstown at $75,706/year — a difference of $3,143 (4.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Kingstown and Pawtucket?

North Kingstown police officers earn $36.40/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $37.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Kingstown to Pawtucket as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Kingstown and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Kingstown = $75,329, Pawtucket = $78,457), job availability (4 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in North Kingstown vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,579 in North Kingstown and $47,424 in Pawtucket. The North Kingstown 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