Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Minot, ND: $59,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Minot, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $59,826 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Minot's local price level (BEA RPP 87.0 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,743 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,052) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the law enforcement field as police officers in Minot, North Dakota, can expect an entry-level salary around $59,826. This starting pay is slightly below the city's median annual salary of $62,052, indicating a modest gap that offers room for growth as one gains experience. The pay scale for entry-level officers progresses incrementally, with P25 at $60,414, suggesting that potential for salary increase is gradual during the first few years. With an annual growth rate of 3.06%, Minot represents a solid market for new grad police officer pay in ND, reflecting stability that could entice fresh graduates considering a law enforcement career in this community.
Career Earnings Timeline in Minot
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 Minot
Entry-level police officers in Minot, ND typically start between $59,826 and $60,414 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,591 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,052 — 21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in North Dakota of $5,000 represents just 8.36% of the starting police officer pay ($59,826/year) in Minot. 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 Minot
- 1Research the Minot market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $59,826 to $60,414, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Minot, 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 Minot for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Minot's below-average 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 Minot is $22,591 ( 37.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $59,826, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,417.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,160
2025 BLS Actual
$58,050
2026 Current Est.
$59,826
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Minot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,106 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,657 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Minot, ND grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,160 in 2019 to $58,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,657. New graduates entering the Minot job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minot 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 Minot
Several key employers in Minot actively recruit new police officer candidates, including municipal police departments and state police agencies. These entities often require completion of the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy, typically lasting 6-9 months, alongside successful completion of physical and psychological evaluations. While local departments primarily offer entry-level positions, federal law enforcement careers, such as positions with the FBI, typically seek candidates with prior experience and higher educational qualifications, which may include a bachelor's degree. New graduates looking to enhance their starting police officer salary in Minot can consider pursuing additional certifications in specialized areas, like K-9 handling or SWAT, which can lead to advancement opportunities. In the early years of their careers, officers should expect salary trajectories to ascend gradually, reflecting the varying compensation levels across municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the region, while being bolstered by labor representation through organizations like NLEA and FOP.
More salary data for Minot, ND:
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 Minot. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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