Police Officer Salary

Trenton vs Vineland: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Trenton, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Trenton, NJ
$71,276
$34.27/hr
Vineland, NJ
$69,576
$33.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTrenton, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$71,276$69,576
Hourly Rate$34.27$33.45
Entry Level (P10)$50,458$52,169
25th Percentile$62,413$63,299
75th Percentile$100,947$86,581
Top Earner (P90)$115,664$118,540
Total Employed840260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Trenton ($71,276) and Vineland ($69,576) police officer salaries.TrentonVinelandMedian Salary$71,276$69,576Entry Level (P10)$50,458$52,169Top Earner (P90)$115,664$118,540US Median $78,542

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vineland.

The salary gap between Trenton and Vineland is $1,700 (2.44%). Trenton's median is -9.25% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Trenton spans $65,206,Vineland spans $66,371. Vineland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Trenton
P10 (Entry)$50,458
P25$62,413
Median$71,276
P75$100,947
P90 (Top)$115,664
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$52,169
P25$63,299
Median$69,576
P75$86,581
P90 (Top)$118,540

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($72,499 effective) pays 4.95% more than Trenton ($69,079 effective).

Trenton
Nominal: $71,276
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $69,079
Vineland
Nominal: $69,576
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $72,499

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,276/year)
  • Larger job market (840 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($118,540)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,499)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Trenton grew -3.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.0% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Trenton, NJ

+-3.5%

$71,660 (2019) → $69,160 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+-7.0%

$72,610 (2019) → $67,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Trenton or Vineland?

Trenton has a higher median police officer salary at $71,276/year, compared to Vineland at $69,576/year — a difference of $1,700 (2.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Trenton and Vineland?

Trenton police officers earn $34.27/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $33.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Trenton to Vineland as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Trenton and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Trenton = $69,079, Vineland = $72,499), job availability (840 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Trenton vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,458 in Trenton and $52,169 in Vineland. The Vineland 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