Police Officer Salary

North Lauderdale vs Orlando: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between North Lauderdale, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Lauderdale, FL
$68,436
$32.91/hr
Orlando, FL
$64,938
$31.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Lauderdale, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$68,436$64,938
Hourly Rate$32.91$31.22
Entry Level (P10)$41,432$48,954
25th Percentile$55,823$60,517
75th Percentile$85,242$78,913
Top Earner (P90)$97,678$97,216
Total Employed75,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Lauderdale ($68,436) and Orlando ($64,938) police officer salaries.North LauderdaleOrlandoMedian Salary$68,436$64,938Entry Level (P10)$41,432$48,954Top Earner (P90)$97,678$97,216US Median $78,542

Verdict

North Lauderdale, FL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orlando.

The salary gap between North Lauderdale and Orlando is $3,498 (5.39%). North Lauderdale's median is -12.87% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Lauderdale spans $56,246,Orlando spans $48,262. North Lauderdale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Lauderdale
P10 (Entry)$41,432
P25$55,823
Median$68,436
P75$85,242
P90 (Top)$97,678
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$48,954
P25$60,517
Median$64,938
P75$78,913
P90 (Top)$97,216

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Lauderdale ($67,893 effective) pays 6.03% more than Orlando ($64,030 effective).

North Lauderdale
Nominal: $68,436
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $67,893
Orlando
Nominal: $64,938
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $64,030

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Lauderdale if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,436/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,678)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,893)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (5,400 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in North Lauderdale grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.9% growth in Orlando over the same period.

North Lauderdale, FL

+9.5%

$60,628 (2024) → $66,404 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+12.9%

$55,790 (2019) → $63,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: North Lauderdale or Orlando?

North Lauderdale has a higher median police officer salary at $68,436/year, compared to Orlando at $64,938/year — a difference of $3,498 (5.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Lauderdale and Orlando?

North Lauderdale police officers earn $32.91/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $31.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Lauderdale to Orlando as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Lauderdale and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Lauderdale = $67,893, Orlando = $64,030), job availability (7 vs 5,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in North Lauderdale vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $41,432 in North Lauderdale and $48,954 in Orlando. The Orlando 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