Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Ogden, UT: $64,000 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Ogden, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,000 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ogden's local price level (BEA RPP 100.3 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $63,777 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,459) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the ranks as police officers in Ogden, UT, can realistically expect to start with salaries around $64,000. This entry-level pay sits significantly below the overall city median of $80,459, but it reflects a common starting point for those fresh out of Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academies. Over the first three to five years, starting officers can anticipate gradual salary increases as they move from initial entry-level positions to higher pay scales, reaching approximately $65,402 at the 25th percentile. Given the stable cost of living in Ogden, the entry-level police officer salary in Ogden is relatively attractive, especially with favorable long-term growth projections suggesting annual increases of about 3.06% during the next five years to offset cost of living adjustments.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ogden
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 Ogden
Entry-level police officers in Ogden, UT typically start between $64,000 and $65,402 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,031 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,459 — 2.44% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Utah of $5,000 represents just 7.81% of the starting police officer pay ($64,000/year) in Ogden. 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 Ogden
- 1Research the Ogden market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $64,000 to $65,402, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Ogden, 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 Ogden for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ogden'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 Ogden is $33,031 ( 51.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,000, experienced hygienists can earn up to $97,031.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,660
2025 BLS Actual
$62,100
2026 Current Est.
$64,000
2019–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Ogden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,000 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,959 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Ogden, UT grew 52.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,660 in 2019 to $62,100 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,959. New graduates entering the Ogden job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ogden 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 Ogden
Structured hiring processes are in place across various employers in Ogden, which primarily include municipal departments actively seeking POST-certified recruits. These positions often begin through rigorous training and hiring cycles, with state police and highway patrol agencies also offering entry routes for those meeting specific qualifications. It’s essential for graduates to consider the competitive advantage gained from continuing education, such as obtaining a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or certifying in specialized areas like SWAT or K-9 handling. Initial salaries for new grad police officer pay in UT typically improve as officers gain experience and seek advancement. Over the first three years in this role, one can realistically expect salaries to grow based on performance and departmental budgets, bridging the initial gap toward the municipal pay that contrasts starkly with higher-paying federal positions or urban departments.
More salary data for Ogden, UT:
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 Ogden. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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