Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Woburn, MA: $50,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Woburn, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,947 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woburn's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $46,956 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($77,653) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Woburn, Massachusetts, new graduates looking to build their careers as police officers can expect to start with salaries around $50,947, which is on the lower end of the salary spectrum for the profession. Given that the median salary for all police officers in Woburn is projected to be $77,653 in 2026, newly minted officers will need to navigate a significant gap as they enter the workforce. This starting salary is a realistic expectation for entry-level candidates, and as they gain experience and proactive training, they can potentially see their pay rise to approximately $59,791 within their first few years. The growth trajectory for officers in Woburn indicates a promising career path, especially considering the annual growth rate of 3.06%, which makes Woburn an attractive market for new graduates aiming to establish a career in law enforcement.
About the Woburn Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woburn
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 Woburn
Entry-level police officers in Woburn, MA typically start between $50,947 and $59,791 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,959 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $77,653 — 1.13% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Massachusetts of $10,000 represents just 19.63% of the starting police officer pay ($50,947/year) in Woburn. 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 Woburn
- 1Research the Woburn market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $50,947 to $59,791, 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 Woburn, 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 Woburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woburn'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 Woburn is $61,959 ( 121.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,947, experienced hygienists can earn up to $112,906.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,457
2025 BLS Actual
$49,434
2026 Current Est.
$50,947
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Woburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,976 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,818 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,203 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,434 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,506 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Woburn, MA grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,457 in 2019 to $49,434 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $52,506. New graduates entering the Woburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woburn 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 Woburn
Several organizations in Woburn are known for hiring new graduate police officers, primarily through municipal police departments that recruit candidates via structured Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy programs. Those interested in a more expansive law enforcement career have alternate pathways, such as state police or federal law enforcement, which often have additional requirements and experience prerequisites. For instance, federal positions, such as FBI special agents, necessitate a college degree and relevant experience. To enhance their starting police officer salary in Woburn, graduates should consider pursuing certifications from the POST academy and additional credentials, such as a bachelor’s in criminal justice or specialized training in areas like SWAT or K-9 operations. As municipal pay can vary dramatically across regions—where urban centers may offer significantly higher salaries than rural areas—early-career officers in Woburn can anticipate realistic salary growth as they progress from entry-level positions to more advanced roles.
More salary data for Woburn, 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 Woburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woburn 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