Police Officer Salary

Park Ridge vs Peoria: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Park Ridge, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Park Ridge, IL
$78,937
$37.95/hr
Peoria, IL
$79,016
$37.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPark Ridge, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$78,937$79,016
Hourly Rate$37.95$37.99
Entry Level (P10)$53,143$50,850
25th Percentile$63,534$60,465
75th Percentile$97,373$99,257
Top Earner (P90)$116,366$108,955
Total Employed7630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Park Ridge ($78,937) and Peoria ($79,016) police officer salaries.Park RidgePeoriaMedian Salary$78,937$79,016Entry Level (P10)$53,143$50,850Top Earner (P90)$116,366$108,955US Median $78,542

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Park Ridge.

The salary gap between Park Ridge and Peoria is $79 (0.10%). Peoria's median is +0.60% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Park Ridge spans $63,223,Peoria spans $58,105. Park Ridge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Park Ridge
P10 (Entry)$53,143
P25$63,534
Median$78,937
P75$97,373
P90 (Top)$116,366
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$50,850
P25$60,465
Median$79,016
P75$99,257
P90 (Top)$108,955

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($86,611 effective) pays 6.54% more than Park Ridge ($81,295 effective).

Park Ridge
Nominal: $78,937
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $81,295
Peoria
Nominal: $79,016
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $86,611

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Park Ridge if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($116,366)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,016/year)
  • Larger job market (630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,611)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Park Ridge grew 0.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 67.5% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Park Ridge, IL

+0.0%

$76,557 (2024) → $76,593 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+67.5%

$45,760 (2019) → $76,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Park Ridge or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median police officer salary at $79,016/year, compared to Park Ridge at $78,937/year — a difference of $79 (0.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Park Ridge and Peoria?

Park Ridge police officers earn $37.95/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $37.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Park Ridge to Peoria as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Park Ridge and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Park Ridge = $81,295, Peoria = $86,611), job availability (7 vs 630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Park Ridge vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $53,143 in Park Ridge and $50,850 in Peoria. The Park Ridge 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