Prescott Valley vs Tempe: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Prescott Valley, AZ and Tempe, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Prescott Valley, AZ | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $76,295 | $76,618▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $36.68 | $36.83▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,671▲ | $49,419 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,660▲ | $60,415 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,995 | $97,201▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $94,403 | $114,281▲ |
| Total Employed | 480▲ | 43 |
Verdict
Tempe, 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 Tempe is $323 (0.42%). Tempe's median is -2.45% 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,Tempe spans $64,862. Tempe 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, Tempe ($77,785 effective) pays 0.17% 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 Tempe if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($76,618/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($114,281)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,785)
- ✓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 Tempe over the same period.
Prescott Valley, AZ
$75,220 (2024) → $74,030 (2025)
Tempe, AZ
$67,263 (2024) → $74,343 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Prescott Valley, AZ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays police officers more: Prescott Valley or Tempe?
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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