Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Wilsonville, OR: $59,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Wilsonville, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $59,165 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilsonville's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,666 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($88,945) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the police force in Wilsonville, Oregon, can anticipate starting salaries around $59,165, a figure that is notably lower than the city's overall median police officer salary of $88,945. This gap suggests that while initial compensation may feel modest, it can grow significantly over time, moving from the starting level through the 25th percentile at $69,362 as new officers gain experience and complete necessary training. Given the projected growth rate of 3.06% annually, Wilsonville presents a fairly attractive market for budding police officers, especially when one considers potential upward mobility within the ranks and opportunities for specialization through advanced certifications.
About the Wilsonville Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilsonville
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 Wilsonville
Entry-level police officers in Wilsonville, OR typically start between $59,165 and $69,362 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $71,554 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $88,945 — 13.25% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Oregon of $7,000 represents just 11.83% of the starting police officer pay ($59,165/year) in Wilsonville. 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 Wilsonville
- 1Research the Wilsonville market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $59,165 to $69,362, 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 Wilsonville, 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 Wilsonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilsonville'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 Wilsonville is $71,554 ( 120.94%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $59,165, experienced hygienists can earn up to $130,719.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,660
2025 BLS Actual
$57,408
2026 Current Est.
$59,165
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilsonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,771 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,975 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Wilsonville, OR grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,660 in 2019 to $57,408 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $60,975. New graduates entering the Wilsonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville
In Wilsonville, various local employers actively seek applicants to fill entry-level police officer positions. Candidates generally start their journeys through municipal departments, which typically hire officers who have undergone formal training at a Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy. Lateral hiring opportunities, along with positions in state police or transit police, also offer prospects for new graduates. To enhance their starting pay, candidates can consider pursuing further credentials, such as a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or specialized certifications. Keeping in mind that pay varies significantly across different policing agencies and regions, a new officer can expect to see initial salary growth in their first few years of service, likely moving towards mid-tier levels as they accumulate experience. Given that police pay in urban centers can reach upwards of $130,000 while rural environments may offer as low as $40,000, those beginning their careers in Wilsonville should look at long-term strategies, such as securing a role in a municipal department and exploring union representation through organizations such as the FOP.
More salary data for Wilsonville, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for police officers in Wilsonville in 2026?
How fast do police officer salaries grow in Wilsonville?
Is law enforcement school worth it in Wilsonville?
What do new police officers make right out of school in Wilsonville?
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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 Wilsonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilsonville 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