Police Officer Salary

Rochester vs Yonkers: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Rochester, NY and Yonkers, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rochester, NY
$95,763
$46.04/hr
Yonkers, NY
$84,086
$40.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, NYYonkers, NY
Median Salary$95,763$84,086
Hourly Rate$46.04$40.43
Entry Level (P10)$58,888$50,554
25th Percentile$67,886$63,711
75th Percentile$99,144$107,630
Top Earner (P90)$104,534$130,333
Total Employed1,80045
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($95,763) and Yonkers ($84,086) police officer salaries.RochesterYonkersMedian Salary$95,763$84,086Entry Level (P10)$58,888$50,554Top Earner (P90)$104,534$130,333US Median $78,542

Verdict

Rochester, NY offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Yonkers.

The salary gap between Rochester and Yonkers is $11,677 (13.89%). Rochester's median is +21.93% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $45,646,Yonkers spans $79,779. Yonkers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$58,888
P25$67,886
Median$95,763
P75$99,144
P90 (Top)$104,534
Yonkers
P10 (Entry)$50,554
P25$63,711
Median$84,086
P75$107,630
P90 (Top)$130,333

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($98,689 effective) pays 36.03% more than Yonkers ($72,550 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $95,763
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $98,689
Yonkers
Nominal: $84,086
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $72,550

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,763/year)
  • Larger job market (1,800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,689)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Yonkers if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,333)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Rochester grew 30.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.3% growth in Yonkers over the same period.

Rochester, NY

+30.2%

$71,350 (2019) → $92,920 (2025)

Yonkers, NY

+-16.3%

$97,486 (2024) → $81,589 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Rochester or Yonkers?

Rochester has a higher median police officer salary at $95,763/year, compared to Yonkers at $84,086/year — a difference of $11,677 (13.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Yonkers?

Rochester police officers earn $46.04/hr while Yonkers hygienists earn $40.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Yonkers as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Yonkers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $98,689, Yonkers = $72,550), job availability (1,800 vs 45 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Rochester vs Yonkers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $58,888 in Rochester and $50,554 in Yonkers. The Rochester 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