Police Officer Salary

Parsippany-Troy Hills vs Trenton: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
$91,572
$44.03/hr
Trenton, NJ
$71,276
$34.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricParsippany-Troy Hills, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$91,572$71,276
Hourly Rate$44.03$34.27
Entry Level (P10)$53,975$50,458
25th Percentile$68,503$62,413
75th Percentile$116,100$100,947
Top Earner (P90)$135,695$115,664
Total Employed8840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Parsippany-Troy Hills ($91,572) and Trenton ($71,276) police officer salaries.Parsippany-Troy HillsTrentonMedian Salary$91,572$71,276Entry Level (P10)$53,975$50,458Top Earner (P90)$135,695$115,664US Median $78,542

Verdict

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Parsippany-Troy Hills and Trenton is $20,296 (28.48%). Parsippany-Troy Hills's median is +16.59% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Parsippany-Troy Hills spans $81,720,Trenton spans $65,206. Parsippany-Troy Hills has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Parsippany-Troy Hills
P10 (Entry)$53,975
P25$68,503
Median$91,572
P75$116,100
P90 (Top)$135,695
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$50,458
P25$62,413
Median$71,276
P75$100,947
P90 (Top)$115,664

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Parsippany-Troy Hills ($79,490 effective) pays 15.07% more than Trenton ($69,079 effective).

Parsippany-Troy Hills
Nominal: $91,572
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $79,490
Trenton
Nominal: $71,276
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $69,079

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Parsippany-Troy Hills if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,572/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,695)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,490)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (840 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Parsippany-Troy Hills grew -19.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.5% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ

+-19.8%

$110,760 (2024) → $88,853 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+-3.5%

$71,660 (2019) → $69,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Parsippany-Troy Hills or Trenton?

Parsippany-Troy Hills has a higher median police officer salary at $91,572/year, compared to Trenton at $71,276/year — a difference of $20,296 (28.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Parsippany-Troy Hills and Trenton?

Parsippany-Troy Hills police officers earn $44.03/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $34.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Parsippany-Troy Hills to Trenton as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Parsippany-Troy Hills and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Parsippany-Troy Hills = $79,490, Trenton = $69,079), job availability (8 vs 840 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Parsippany-Troy Hills vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $53,975 in Parsippany-Troy Hills and $50,458 in Trenton. The Parsippany-Troy Hills 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