Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Rexburg, ID: $40,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Rexburg, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,624 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rexburg's local price level (BEA RPP 95.3 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,627 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,450) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the starting police officer salary in Rexburg, ID, is projected to be $40,624, which may seem modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $63,450. For new graduates entering this profession, it's essential to understand that the gap between entry-level pay and the median can be bridged over time through experience and additional training. Within the first three to five years, many new officers can realistically anticipate moving to approximately $49,523 as they gain on-the-job expertise. Furthermore, this market presents a relatively stable opportunity for fresh graduates, with the projected salary growth expected to improve steadily, reflecting the 3.06% annual growth rate in the field.
About the Rexburg Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rexburg
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rexburg
Entry-level police officers in Rexburg, ID typically start between $40,624 and $49,523 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,292 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,450 — 19.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Idaho of $4,000 represents just 9.85% of the starting police officer pay ($40,624/year) in Rexburg. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Cost estimates cover police academy tuition (often paid by hiring department), physical/psychological testing fees, and optional associate degree in criminal justice. Many large departments sponsor recruits and pay them during academy training.
PO Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Rexburg
- 1Research the Rexburg market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $40,624 to $49,523, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the law enforcement field — employers in ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Rexburg, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Rexburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Rexburg's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Police Officer Compensation Range
The police officer wage spread in Rexburg is $50,292 ( 123.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,624, experienced hygienists can earn up to $90,916.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,665
2025 BLS Actual
$39,418
2026 Current Est.
$40,624
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Rexburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,665 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,345 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,652 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,116 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,867 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Rexburg, ID grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,665 in 2019 to $39,418 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,867. New graduates entering the Rexburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rexburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your law enforcement Career in Rexburg
In Rexburg, prospective police officers can look toward local municipal departments as significant employers, often recruiting recent POST academy graduates through structured training programs aimed at developing essential skills for entry-level positions. While state police and highway patrol agencies may consider hopeful candidates from state academies, those seeking federal roles often face a competitive landscape requiring prior experience or specific qualifications. New hires will find that obtaining a high school diploma and completing the requisite POST certification is crucial for starting pay in Idaho. Additionally, furthering one's career through specialized training or a bachelor's degree in criminal justice can yield higher compensation, particularly as first-year salaries typically fall between $40,624 and $49,523 for new grads. For a strategic career path, early officers should focus on networking within the community and exploring available certifications to enhance their marketability, particularly considering the broader national context that illustrates substantial pay divergences influenced by regional economic factors.
More salary data for Rexburg, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new law enforcement graduates. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Rexburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rexburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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