Police Officer Salary

Vineland vs Wayne: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Vineland, NJ
$69,576
$33.45/hr
Wayne, NJ
$88,598
$42.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricVineland, NJWayne, NJ
Median Salary$69,576$88,598
Hourly Rate$33.45$42.59
Entry Level (P10)$52,169$57,552
25th Percentile$63,299$68,064
75th Percentile$86,581$113,405
Top Earner (P90)$118,540$134,265
Total Employed26010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Vineland ($69,576) and Wayne ($88,598) police officer salaries.VinelandWayneMedian Salary$69,576$88,598Entry Level (P10)$52,169$57,552Top Earner (P90)$118,540$134,265US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Vineland and Wayne is $19,022 (27.34%). Wayne's median is +12.80% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Vineland spans $66,371,Wayne spans $76,713. Wayne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Vineland
P10 (Entry)$52,169
P25$63,299
Median$69,576
P75$86,581
P90 (Top)$118,540
Wayne
P10 (Entry)$57,552
P25$68,064
Median$88,598
P75$113,405
P90 (Top)$134,265

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wayne ($76,908 effective) pays 6.08% more than Vineland ($72,499 effective).

Vineland
Nominal: $69,576
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $72,499
Wayne
Nominal: $88,598
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $76,908

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Vineland if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,598/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,265)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,908)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Vineland grew -7.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -19.8% growth in Wayne over the same period.

Vineland, NJ

+-7.0%

$72,610 (2019) → $67,510 (2025)

Wayne, NJ

+-19.8%

$107,162 (2024) → $85,967 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Vineland or Wayne?

Wayne has a higher median police officer salary at $88,598/year, compared to Vineland at $69,576/year — a difference of $19,022 (27.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Vineland and Wayne?

Vineland police officers earn $33.45/hr while Wayne hygienists earn $42.59/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Vineland and Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Vineland = $72,499, Wayne = $76,908), job availability (260 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $52,169 in Vineland and $57,552 in Wayne. The Wayne 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