Police Officer Salary

Sedona vs Tucson: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Sedona, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sedona, AZ
$71,623
$34.43/hr
Tucson, AZ
$79,325
$38.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSedona, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$71,623$79,325
Hourly Rate$34.43$38.13
Entry Level (P10)$44,569$59,764
25th Percentile$59,220$65,577
75th Percentile$90,240$90,044
Top Earner (P90)$103,320$103,586
Total Employed51,600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sedona ($71,623) and Tucson ($79,325) police officer salaries.SedonaTucsonMedian Salary$71,623$79,325Entry Level (P10)$44,569$59,764Top Earner (P90)$103,320$103,586US Median $78,542

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sedona.

The salary gap between Sedona and Tucson is $7,702 (10.75%). Tucson's median is +1.00% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sedona spans $58,751,Tucson spans $43,822. Sedona has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sedona
P10 (Entry)$44,569
P25$59,220
Median$71,623
P75$90,240
P90 (Top)$103,320
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$59,764
P25$65,577
Median$79,325
P75$90,044
P90 (Top)$103,586

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($81,866 effective) pays 12.59% more than Sedona ($72,714 effective).

Sedona
Nominal: $71,623
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $72,714
Tucson
Nominal: $79,325
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $81,866

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sedona if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,325/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,586)
  • Larger job market (1,600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,866)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Sedona grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.1% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Sedona, AZ

+10.5%

$62,878 (2024) → $69,496 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+24.1%

$62,040 (2020) → $76,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Sedona or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median police officer salary at $79,325/year, compared to Sedona at $71,623/year — a difference of $7,702 (10.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sedona and Tucson?

Sedona police officers earn $34.43/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $38.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sedona to Tucson as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sedona and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sedona = $72,714, Tucson = $81,866), job availability (5 vs 1,600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Sedona vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $44,569 in Sedona and $59,764 in Tucson. The Tucson 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