Police Officer Salary

Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Beaverton, OR: $54,719 (2026)

Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Beaverton, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,719 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Beaverton's local price level (BEA RPP 102.63% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,332 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,174) within a few years of clinical practice.

$54,719
Starting Salary
$26.31/hr
Starting Hourly
$54,719
Entry Level
$92,174
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Police Officer Entry Level Salary in Beaverton, OR — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Beaverton, OR police officer entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For those considering a career as a police officer in Beaverton, Oregon, the 2026 starting pay presents a solid foundation for new graduates. With an entry-level salary projected at $54,719, aspiring police officers can set realistic expectations as they embark on their first roles in law enforcement. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median salary of $92,174, it serves as a launching point for career advancement. Over the first three to five years, new officers can anticipate upward movement through scales that reach the 25th percentile salary of $68,962 as they gain experience and skills, contributing to a promising financial trajectory. Overall, Beaverton is a favorable market for fresh graduates pursuing law enforcement careers, especially with the projected annual growth rate of 3.06%.

About the Beaverton Market

Salary estimated from Oregon average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Beaverton

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$54,719/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$68,962/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$92,174/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$116,872/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Beaverton

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for police officers in Beaverton. The median salary is $92,174, compared to the national median of $78,542.$49.2K$74.3K$99.4K$124.5K$149.6K$54.7K10th Pctl$69.0K25th Pctl$92.2KMedian$116.9K75th Pctl$142.5K90th PctlUS Median$78.5K

Entry-level police officers in Beaverton, OR typically start between $54,719 and $68,962 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $87,738 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,17417.36% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of police officer pay in the Beaverton metro area.

Return on Investment

$7,000
Avg OR Program Cost
$54,719
Starting Salary
12.79%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average law enforcement program cost in Oregon of $7,000 represents just 12.79% of the starting police officer pay ($54,719/year) in Beaverton. 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 Beaverton

  • 1Research the Beaverton market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $54,719 to $68,962, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Beaverton, 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 Beaverton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Beaverton'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 Beaverton is $87,738 ( 160.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,719, experienced hygienists can earn up to $142,457.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$41,304

2025 BLS Actual

$53,094

2026 Current Est.

$54,719

2019–2027 Growth

+36.5%

Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Beaverton (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for police officers in Beaverton. Baseline $41,304 in 2025, projected to $56,393 by 2027.$38.3K$43.6K$48.8K$54.1K$59.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.3K$42.9K$44.9K$45.3K$50.5K$49.7K$53.1K$54.7K$56.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$41,304Actual
2020$42,936Actual
2021$44,914Actual
2022$45,327Actual
2023$50,512Actual
2024$49,737Actual
2025$53,094Actual
2026(current)$54,719Estimated
2027$56,393Projected

Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Beaverton, OR grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,304 in 2019 to $53,094 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,393. New graduates entering the Beaverton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Beaverton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Beaverton

In Beaverton, the main employers attracting new graduates are primarily municipal police departments, which recruit recent POST academy graduates, offering structured pathways for advancement. Other agencies, such as state police and highway patrol, typically require state academy graduates, while federal counterparts, like the FBI, primarily target candidates with college degrees and prior law enforcement experience. To boost starting pay and enhance employability in Oregon, new officers should focus on obtaining the necessary credentials, including the state Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification, alongside skills needed to excel in various evaluations. Continuing education can further open doors to specialized roles, such as K-9 handling or SWAT teams. Career growth within those critical first years will largely depend on performance, department size, and region, especially in a market where substantial wage disparities exist across different areas in the U.S. As officers progress and gain experience, realistic salary increases may place them more in line with others in the field, solidifying Beaverton as a viable starting point for those eagerly entering law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for police officers in Beaverton in 2026?

Entry-level police officers in Beaverton start at approximately $54,719/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.06% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $26.31/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do police officer salaries grow in Beaverton?

Most police officers in Beaverton progress from the entry-level salary of $54,719 to the area median of $92,174 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $142,457 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is law enforcement school worth it in Beaverton?

With a starting salary of $54,719/year in Beaverton and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new police officers recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new police officers make right out of school in Beaverton?

New law enforcement graduates in Beaverton typically start near the 10th percentile at $54,719/year, or approximately $26.31/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a police officer in Oregon?

To become a licensed police officer in Oregon, you typically need high school diploma minimum; many departments now require some college credits or an associate degree, and federal agencies require a bachelor's. completion of a state-certified police academy (typically 4-6 months residential), passing physical fitness, psychological, polygraph, and background screenings, and post (peace officer standards and training) certification specific to the state. field training officer (fto) phase 3-12 months post-academy., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Oregon, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some police officers pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Oregon

JL

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 Beaverton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Beaverton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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