Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Beverly, MA: $48,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Beverly, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $48,882 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Beverly's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,053 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,597) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Beverly, Massachusetts, new graduates pursuing a career as entry-level police officers should set their expectations based on a projected starting salary of $48,882 in 2026. This figure highlights a notable gap from the city’s median annual salary of $79,597, suggesting that early-career professionals may initially earn significantly less than their more experienced counterparts. However, this starting point can lead to growth opportunities, as first-job salaries can advance to $63,670 at the 25th percentile within a few years, with a longer trajectory potentially approaching the median salary as experience accumulates. With an annual growth rate of 3.06%, Beverly presents a solid job market for new graduates, especially considering its relatively favorable economic conditions compared to more competitive urban areas.
About the Beverly Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Beverly
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 Beverly
Entry-level police officers in Beverly, MA typically start between $48,882 and $63,670 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $70,645 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,597 — 1.34% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Massachusetts of $10,000 represents just 20.46% of the starting police officer pay ($48,882/year) in Beverly. 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 Beverly
- 1Research the Beverly market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $48,882 to $63,670, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Beverly, 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 Beverly for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Beverly'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 Beverly is $70,645 ( 144.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $48,882, experienced hygienists can earn up to $119,527.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,899
2025 BLS Actual
$47,431
2026 Current Est.
$48,882
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Beverly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,356 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,123 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,125 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,379 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,378 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Beverly, MA grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,899 in 2019 to $47,431 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,378. New graduates entering the Beverly job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Beverly 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 Beverly
Municipal police departments in Beverly are the primary employers for new officers, utilizing structured recruiting through the state's Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy. Additionally, other pathways include roles with state police or federal law enforcement, where competitive hiring often requires prior experience or advanced degrees, particularly for agencies like the FBI. Credentials such as POST certification, a clean psychological evaluation, and completion of background checks are essential for securing entry-level positions. Those looking for career advancement within the first few years should consider obtaining higher education in criminal justice or specialized training, which can improve starting pay and future salary growth in a field where discrepancies exist due to regional economic factors. Federal roles generally offer higher compensation, while Beverly’s municipal pay remains competitive for entry-level officers aiming for a stable and progressive career in law enforcement.
More salary data for Beverly, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for police officers in Beverly in 2026?
How fast do police officer salaries grow in Beverly?
Is law enforcement school worth it in Beverly?
What do new police officers make right out of school in Beverly?
How do I become a police officer in Massachusetts?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 Beverly. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Beverly 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