Police Officer Salary

Salisbury vs Severn: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Salisbury, MD and Severn, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salisbury, MD
$60,373
$29.02/hr
Severn, MD
$83,965
$40.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalisbury, MDSevern, MD
Median Salary$60,373$83,965
Hourly Rate$29.02$40.37
Entry Level (P10)$49,551$54,306
25th Percentile$58,497$66,230
75th Percentile$87,653$107,475
Top Earner (P90)$106,677$126,841
Total Employed32012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salisbury ($60,373) and Severn ($83,965) police officer salaries.SalisburySevernMedian Salary$60,373$83,965Entry Level (P10)$49,551$54,306Top Earner (P90)$106,677$126,841US Median $78,542

Verdict

Severn, MD offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Salisbury and Severn is $23,592 (39.08%). Severn's median is +6.90% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salisbury spans $57,126,Severn spans $72,535. Severn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$49,551
P25$58,497
Median$60,373
P75$87,653
P90 (Top)$106,677
Severn
P10 (Entry)$54,306
P25$66,230
Median$83,965
P75$107,475
P90 (Top)$126,841

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Severn ($76,821 effective) pays 21.67% more than Salisbury ($63,140 effective).

Salisbury
Nominal: $60,373
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $63,140
Severn
Nominal: $83,965
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $76,821

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Severn if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,965/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,841)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,821)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Salisbury grew 1.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.3% growth in Severn over the same period.

Salisbury, MD

+1.3%

$57,830 (2019) → $58,580 (2025)

Severn, MD

+-2.3%

$83,385 (2024) → $81,472 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Salisbury or Severn?

Severn has a higher median police officer salary at $83,965/year, compared to Salisbury at $60,373/year — a difference of $23,592 (39.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salisbury and Severn?

Salisbury police officers earn $29.02/hr while Severn hygienists earn $40.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salisbury to Severn as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salisbury and Severn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salisbury = $63,140, Severn = $76,821), job availability (320 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Salisbury vs Severn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $49,551 in Salisbury and $54,306 in Severn. The Severn area offers higher starting salaries.
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