Police Officer Salary

Oro Valley vs Prescott Valley: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Oro Valley, AZ
$72,322
$34.77/hr
Prescott Valley, AZ
$76,295
$36.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOro Valley, AZPrescott Valley, AZ
Median Salary$72,322$76,295
Hourly Rate$34.77$36.68
Entry Level (P10)$46,944$60,671
25th Percentile$55,370$63,660
75th Percentile$90,760$79,995
Top Earner (P90)$104,427$94,403
Total Employed7480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oro Valley ($72,322) and Prescott Valley ($76,295) police officer salaries.Oro ValleyPrescott ValleyMedian Salary$72,322$76,295Entry Level (P10)$46,944$60,671Top Earner (P90)$104,427$94,403US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Oro Valley and Prescott Valley is $3,973 (5.49%). 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 Oro Valley spans $57,483,Prescott Valley spans $33,732. Oro Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oro Valley
P10 (Entry)$46,944
P25$55,370
Median$72,322
P75$90,760
P90 (Top)$104,427
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 5.76% more than Oro Valley ($73,423 effective).

Oro Valley
Nominal: $72,322
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $73,423
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 Oro Valley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($104,427)
  • 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 Oro Valley grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.6% growth in Prescott Valley over the same period.

Oro Valley, AZ

+10.5%

$63,492 (2024) → $70,175 (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: Oro Valley or Prescott Valley?

Prescott Valley has a higher median police officer salary at $76,295/year, compared to Oro Valley at $72,322/year — a difference of $3,973 (5.49%).

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

Oro Valley police officers earn $34.77/hr while Prescott Valley hygienists earn $36.68/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oro Valley and Prescott Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oro Valley = $73,423, Prescott Valley = $77,650), job availability (7 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $46,944 in Oro Valley 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