Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Derry, NH: $54,221 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Derry, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,221 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derry's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,532 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,887) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates in law enforcement, the starting police officer salary in Derry, NH, is expected to be around $54,221 in 2026. While this may seem lower than the city's median salary of $80,887, it reflects a realistic entry-point for those just beginning their careers. New hires can potentially see their earnings grow significantly as they gain experience, with salaries reaching approximately $64,931 at the 25th percentile and eventually progressing to the median within three to five years. With a promising annual growth rate of 3.06%, Derry represents a favorable market for new police officers, providing an opportunity to build a career within a supportive community.
About the Derry Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derry
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 Derry
Entry-level police officers in Derry, NH typically start between $54,221 and $64,931 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,605 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,887 — 2.99% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in New Hampshire of $8,000 represents just 14.75% of the starting police officer pay ($54,221/year) in Derry. 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 Derry
- 1Research the Derry market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $54,221 to $64,931, 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 NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derry, 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 Derry for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derry'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 Derry is $67,605 ( 124.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,221, experienced hygienists can earn up to $121,826.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,928
2025 BLS Actual
$52,611
2026 Current Est.
$54,221
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Derry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,928 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,545 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,505 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,053 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,611 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,221 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,880 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Derry, NH grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,928 in 2019 to $52,611 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,880. New graduates entering the Derry job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derry 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 Derry
Looking at opportunities within Derry, municipal police departments typically engage entry-level officers through structured recruitment processes, usually tied to the state's Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy. This structured pathway helps trainees secure the necessary certifications while ensuring they meet the performance standards that employers expect. While local departments are the primary employers for new grads, candidates with higher credentials, such as a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or specialty certifications from prestigious programs, may command better starting salaries. In the first few years, it is not uncommon for officers to experience salary growth driven by demonstrated competence and additional training. Entry-level positions often serve as stepping stones to more lucrative roles in federal law enforcement, where salaries can be significantly higher, creating a clear career trajectory for those who are eager to advance.
More salary data for Derry, NH:
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 Derry. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derry 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