Police Officer Salary

Warwick vs West Warwick: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Warwick, RI and West Warwick, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Warwick, RI
$80,808
$38.85/hr
West Warwick, RI
$78,034
$37.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricWarwick, RIWest Warwick, RI
Median Salary$80,808$78,034
Hourly Rate$38.85$37.51
Entry Level (P10)$49,731$49,611
25th Percentile$62,026$60,709
75th Percentile$103,435$97,182
Top Earner (P90)$122,370$111,450
Total Employed167
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Warwick ($80,808) and West Warwick ($78,034) police officer salaries.WarwickWest WarwickMedian Salary$80,808$78,034Entry Level (P10)$49,731$49,611Top Earner (P90)$122,370$111,450US Median $78,542

Verdict

Warwick, RI offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to West Warwick.

The salary gap between Warwick and West Warwick is $2,774 (3.55%). Warwick's median is +2.89% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Warwick spans $72,639,West Warwick spans $61,839. Warwick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Warwick
P10 (Entry)$49,731
P25$62,026
Median$80,808
P75$103,435
P90 (Top)$122,370
West Warwick
P10 (Entry)$49,611
P25$60,709
Median$78,034
P75$97,182
P90 (Top)$111,450

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Warwick ($80,406 effective) pays 3.55% more than West Warwick ($77,646 effective).

Warwick
Nominal: $80,808
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $80,406
West Warwick
Nominal: $78,034
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $77,646

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Warwick if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,808/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,370)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,406)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose West Warwick if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Warwick grew 7.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.8% growth in West Warwick over the same period.

Warwick, RI

+7.3%

$73,089 (2024) → $78,409 (2025)

West Warwick, RI

+5.8%

$71,534 (2024) → $75,717 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Warwick or West Warwick?

Warwick has a higher median police officer salary at $80,808/year, compared to West Warwick at $78,034/year — a difference of $2,774 (3.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Warwick and West Warwick?

Warwick police officers earn $38.85/hr while West Warwick hygienists earn $37.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Warwick to West Warwick as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Warwick and West Warwick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Warwick = $80,406, West Warwick = $77,646), job availability (16 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Warwick vs West Warwick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $49,731 in Warwick and $49,611 in West Warwick. The Warwick 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