Police Officer Salary

Rockford vs Streamwood: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Rockford, IL and Streamwood, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rockford, IL
$80,912
$38.91/hr
Streamwood, IL
$78,472
$37.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRockford, ILStreamwood, IL
Median Salary$80,912$78,472
Hourly Rate$38.91$37.73
Entry Level (P10)$62,784$52,074
25th Percentile$74,780$62,603
75th Percentile$95,949$100,444
Top Earner (P90)$111,006$117,374
Total Employed5008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rockford ($80,912) and Streamwood ($78,472) police officer salaries.RockfordStreamwoodMedian Salary$80,912$78,472Entry Level (P10)$62,784$52,074Top Earner (P90)$111,006$117,374US Median $78,542

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Streamwood.

The salary gap between Rockford and Streamwood is $2,440 (3.11%). Rockford's median is +3.02% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rockford spans $48,222,Streamwood spans $65,300. Streamwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Rockford
P10 (Entry)$62,784
P25$74,780
Median$80,912
P75$95,949
P90 (Top)$111,006
Streamwood
P10 (Entry)$52,074
P25$62,603
Median$78,472
P75$100,444
P90 (Top)$117,374

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($87,801 effective) pays 8.64% more than Streamwood ($80,816 effective).

Rockford
Nominal: $80,912
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $87,801
Streamwood
Nominal: $78,472
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $80,816

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,912/year)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,801)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Streamwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($117,374)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Rockford grew 8.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.0% growth in Streamwood over the same period.

Rockford, IL

+8.7%

$72,250 (2019) → $78,510 (2025)

Streamwood, IL

+0.0%

$76,106 (2024) → $76,142 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Rockford or Streamwood?

Rockford has a higher median police officer salary at $80,912/year, compared to Streamwood at $78,472/year — a difference of $2,440 (3.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rockford and Streamwood?

Rockford police officers earn $38.91/hr while Streamwood hygienists earn $37.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rockford to Streamwood as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rockford and Streamwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rockford = $87,801, Streamwood = $80,816), job availability (500 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Rockford vs Streamwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $62,784 in Rockford and $52,074 in Streamwood. The Rockford 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