Police Officer Salary

Pembroke Pines vs Tampa: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Pembroke Pines, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pembroke Pines, FL
$72,068
$34.65/hr
Tampa, FL
$78,027
$37.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPembroke Pines, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$72,068$78,027
Hourly Rate$34.65$37.51
Entry Level (P10)$42,776$61,207
25th Percentile$54,018$66,144
75th Percentile$91,338$98,123
Top Earner (P90)$111,705$109,646
Total Employed405,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pembroke Pines ($72,068) and Tampa ($78,027) police officer salaries.Pembroke PinesTampaMedian Salary$72,068$78,027Entry Level (P10)$42,776$61,207Top Earner (P90)$111,705$109,646US Median $78,542

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pembroke Pines.

The salary gap between Pembroke Pines and Tampa is $5,959 (8.27%). Tampa's median is -0.66% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pembroke Pines spans $68,929,Tampa spans $48,439. Pembroke Pines has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pembroke Pines
P10 (Entry)$42,776
P25$54,018
Median$72,068
P75$91,338
P90 (Top)$111,705
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$61,207
P25$66,144
Median$78,027
P75$98,123
P90 (Top)$109,646

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($77,339 effective) pays 8.17% more than Pembroke Pines ($71,496 effective).

Pembroke Pines
Nominal: $72,068
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $71,496
Tampa
Nominal: $78,027
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $77,339

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pembroke Pines if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($111,705)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,027/year)
  • Larger job market (5,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,339)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Pembroke Pines grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Pembroke Pines, FL

+9.5%

$63,846 (2024) → $69,928 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+27.3%

$59,470 (2019) → $75,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Pembroke Pines or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median police officer salary at $78,027/year, compared to Pembroke Pines at $72,068/year — a difference of $5,959 (8.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pembroke Pines and Tampa?

Pembroke Pines police officers earn $34.65/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $37.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pembroke Pines to Tampa as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pembroke Pines and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pembroke Pines = $71,496, Tampa = $77,339), job availability (40 vs 5,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Pembroke Pines vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $42,776 in Pembroke Pines and $61,207 in Tampa. The Tampa 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