Police Officer Salary

Phoenix vs Sedona: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Phoenix, AZ and Sedona, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Phoenix, AZ
$87,653
$42.14/hr
Sedona, AZ
$71,623
$34.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhoenix, AZSedona, AZ
Median Salary$87,653$71,623
Hourly Rate$42.14$34.43
Entry Level (P10)$66,525$44,569
25th Percentile$79,387$59,220
75th Percentile$101,576$90,240
Top Earner (P90)$101,576$103,320
Total Employed7,8605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Phoenix ($87,653) and Sedona ($71,623) police officer salaries.PhoenixSedonaMedian Salary$87,653$71,623Entry Level (P10)$66,525$44,569Top Earner (P90)$101,576$103,320US Median $78,542

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sedona.

The salary gap between Phoenix and Sedona is $16,030 (22.38%). Phoenix's median is +11.60% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Phoenix spans $35,051,Sedona spans $58,751. Sedona has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$66,525
P25$79,387
Median$87,653
P75$101,576
P90 (Top)$101,576
Sedona
P10 (Entry)$44,569
P25$59,220
Median$71,623
P75$90,240
P90 (Top)$103,320

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($84,840 effective) pays 16.68% more than Sedona ($72,714 effective).

Phoenix
Nominal: $87,653
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $84,840
Sedona
Nominal: $71,623
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $72,714

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,653/year)
  • Larger job market (7,860 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,840)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Sedona if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,320)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Phoenix grew 18.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.5% growth in Sedona over the same period.

Phoenix, AZ

+18.7%

$71,660 (2019) → $85,050 (2025)

Sedona, AZ

+10.5%

$62,878 (2024) → $69,496 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Phoenix or Sedona?

Phoenix has a higher median police officer salary at $87,653/year, compared to Sedona at $71,623/year — a difference of $16,030 (22.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Phoenix and Sedona?

Phoenix police officers earn $42.14/hr while Sedona hygienists earn $34.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Phoenix to Sedona as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Phoenix and Sedona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Phoenix = $84,840, Sedona = $72,714), job availability (7,860 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Phoenix vs Sedona?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $66,525 in Phoenix and $44,569 in Sedona. The Phoenix 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