Police Officer Salary

Salisbury vs Waldorf: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Salisbury, MD
$60,373
$29.02/hr
Waldorf, MD
$86,127
$41.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalisbury, MDWaldorf, MD
Median Salary$60,373$86,127
Hourly Rate$29.02$41.41
Entry Level (P10)$49,551$52,408
25th Percentile$58,497$65,398
75th Percentile$87,653$110,243
Top Earner (P90)$106,677$125,876
Total Employed32015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salisbury ($60,373) and Waldorf ($86,127) police officer salaries.SalisburyWaldorfMedian Salary$60,373$86,127Entry Level (P10)$49,551$52,408Top Earner (P90)$106,677$125,876US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Salisbury and Waldorf is $25,754 (42.66%). Waldorf's median is +9.66% 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,Waldorf spans $73,468. Waldorf 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
Waldorf
P10 (Entry)$52,408
P25$65,398
Median$86,127
P75$110,243
P90 (Top)$125,876

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waldorf ($78,799 effective) pays 24.80% more than Salisbury ($63,140 effective).

Salisbury
Nominal: $60,373
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $63,140
Waldorf
Nominal: $86,127
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $78,799

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 Waldorf if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,127/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,876)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,799)
  • 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 Waldorf over the same period.

Salisbury, MD

+1.3%

$57,830 (2019) → $58,580 (2025)

Waldorf, MD

+-2.3%

$85,532 (2024) → $83,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Salisbury or Waldorf?

Waldorf has a higher median police officer salary at $86,127/year, compared to Salisbury at $60,373/year — a difference of $25,754 (42.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salisbury and Waldorf?

Salisbury police officers earn $29.02/hr while Waldorf hygienists earn $41.41/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salisbury and Waldorf. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salisbury = $63,140, Waldorf = $78,799), job availability (320 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $49,551 in Salisbury and $52,408 in Waldorf. The Waldorf 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