Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Plymouth, MA: $50,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Plymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,477 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $46,523 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($82,176) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plymouth, Massachusetts, newcomers to law enforcement can expect an entry-level police officer salary in 2026 starting at around $50,477. While this figure may seem modest, it sets the stage for growth as officers gain experience in the field. The median annual salary for police officers in Plymouth is projected to be $82,176, indicating a significant gap between starting pay and the city median that new graduates should keep in mind. As officers advance along their career path, they can realistically anticipate moving from the initial pay scale through to the $62,752 mark at the 25th percentile, with a potential to reach higher earnings over the first few years of service. Given the competitive starting salaries for police officers in nearby urban areas, Plymouth may represent a promising opportunity for new graduates keen to establish their careers in law enforcement.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth
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 Plymouth
Entry-level police officers in Plymouth, MA typically start between $50,477 and $62,752 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,425 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $82,176 — 4.63% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Massachusetts of $10,000 represents just 19.81% of the starting police officer pay ($50,477/year) in Plymouth. 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 Plymouth
- 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $50,477 to $62,752, 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plymouth'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 Plymouth is $73,425 ( 145.46%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,477, experienced hygienists can earn up to $123,902.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,102
2025 BLS Actual
$48,978
2026 Current Est.
$50,477
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,102 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,607 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,813 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,597 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,118 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,978 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,021 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MA grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,102 in 2019 to $48,978 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $52,021. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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 Plymouth
Exploring first job opportunities in law enforcement, various local employers typically hire new graduates in Plymouth. Municipal departments favor applicants with completion of the state Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy, often requiring 6-9 months of training along with successful completion of physical fitness and psychological evaluations. State police and highway patrol positions may draw recruits from state academies, while university campus and transit police often provide vital stepping-stone roles towards municipal employment. For those looking to enhance their hiring potential, pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or gaining specialty certifications such as those from the FBI National Academy can lead to higher starting pay in Massachusetts. During the initial years on the job, it's essential to be proactive in seeking experience and networking opportunities, as pay can fluctuate significantly based on region and department type, with rural areas generally lagging behind urban centers in compensation. The overall realistic salary growth expectation in years 1-3 for officers in Plymouth hinges on strategic career development and leveraging available labor representation by organizations like NLEA and FOP for negotiations.
More salary data for Plymouth, MA:
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 Plymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plymouth 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