Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Shrewsbury, MA: $51,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Shrewsbury, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,800 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shrewsbury's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,742 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($78,027) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective police officers entering the field in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts can expect an entry-level salary starting around $51,800 in 2026. This amount is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $78,027, indicating a significant gap as new officers begin their careers. However, for those willing to invest time and effort in their roles, the growth trajectory over the first few years can be quite promising. As experience is gained, officers may see their salaries increase to around $62,263, allowing them to bridge the gap towards the median wage. Given the competitive nature of law enforcement careers, Shrewsbury currently represents a solid job market for new graduates looking to kickstart their policing careers.
About the Shrewsbury Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shrewsbury
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 Shrewsbury
Entry-level police officers in Shrewsbury, MA typically start between $51,800 and $62,263 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $65,126 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $78,027 — 0.66% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Massachusetts of $10,000 represents just 19.31% of the starting police officer pay ($51,800/year) in Shrewsbury. 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 Shrewsbury
- 1Research the Shrewsbury market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $51,800 to $62,263, 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 Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shrewsbury'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 Shrewsbury is $65,126 ( 125.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,800, experienced hygienists can earn up to $116,926.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,101
2025 BLS Actual
$50,262
2026 Current Est.
$51,800
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Shrewsbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,101 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,818 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,262 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,385 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Shrewsbury, MA grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $39,101 in 2019 to $50,262 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,385. New graduates entering the Shrewsbury job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury
In Shrewsbury, the main employers seeking to fill entry-level police officer positions include municipal police departments that recruit through a structured Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy system. These departments offer an excellent foundation for new grads, providing necessary training and development pathways. Additionally, state police and highway patrol agencies typically recruit officers from state academies, while federal law enforcement positions, such as those within the FBI, require candidates to have both a bachelor's degree and substantial work experience. Beginners in the field can boost their starting police officer salary in MA by obtaining certifications from the POST academy and passing vital evaluations like the physical fitness and psychological tests. Notably, pursuing further education, such as a degree in criminal justice or completing specialized certifications, can enhance promotion potential and pay over time. Salary growth for new hires in their initial years typically reflects local market dynamics, with municipal pay varying widely across the state.
More salary data for Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shrewsbury 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