Prescott Valley vs San Tan Valley: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Prescott Valley, AZ and San Tan Valley, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Prescott Valley, AZ | San Tan Valley, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $76,295 | $76,708▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $36.68 | $36.87▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,671▲ | $46,942 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,660▲ | $61,367 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,995 | $96,754▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $94,403 | $112,442▲ |
| Total Employed | 480▲ | 12 |
Verdict
San Tan Valley, AZ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Prescott Valley.
The salary gap between Prescott Valley and San Tan Valley is $413 (0.54%). San Tan Valley's median is -2.34% compared to the US national median of $78,542.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Prescott Valley spans $33,732,San Tan Valley spans $65,500. San Tan Valley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, San Tan Valley ($77,876 effective) pays 0.29% more than Prescott Valley ($77,650 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Prescott Valley if…
- ✓Larger job market (480 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle
Choose San Tan Valley if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($76,708/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($112,442)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,876)
- ✓You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Prescott Valley grew -1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.5% growth in San Tan Valley over the same period.
Prescott Valley, AZ
$75,220 (2024) → $74,030 (2025)
San Tan Valley, AZ
$67,342 (2024) → $74,430 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Prescott Valley, AZ
San Tan Valley, AZ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays police officers more: Prescott Valley or San Tan Valley?
What is the hourly rate difference between Prescott Valley and San Tan Valley?
Should I relocate from Prescott Valley to San Tan Valley as a police officer?
What do entry-level police officers earn in Prescott Valley vs San Tan Valley?
Related Comparisons
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