Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Camas, WA: $63,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,217 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,861 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,611) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting a career as a police officer in Camas, Washington, presents new graduates with an entry-level pay of approximately $63,217. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range, with expectations to reach $77,024 within the first few years. While this initial salary may seem modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $97,611, it is important for new officers to view this progression as a pathway to financial stability and career growth. The growth trajectory suggests that hard work and experience can lead to achieving the median salary within the first three to five years, making the Camas job market a promising option for fresh graduates looking to begin their law enforcement careers.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
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 Camas
Entry-level police officers in Camas, WA typically start between $63,217 and $77,024 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $81,678 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,611 — 24.28% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Washington of $8,000 represents just 12.65% of the starting police officer pay ($63,217/year) in Camas. 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 Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $63,217 to $77,024, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, 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 Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas'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 Camas is $81,678 ( 129.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,217, experienced hygienists can earn up to $144,895.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,719
2025 BLS Actual
$61,340
2026 Current Est.
$63,217
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Camas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,719 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,604 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,367 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,358 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,151 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,719 in 2019 to $61,340 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,151. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas 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 Camas
In Camas, new police officers may find opportunities with local municipal departments that often recruit through established pathways, such as the Washington Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy. These structured programs are crucial for ensuring officers receive the necessary training and certifications to excel in their roles. For those entering this field, gaining additional credentials, such as specialty certifications or a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, can increase their starting pay and enhance career advancement opportunities. The landscape of law enforcement in Washington is competitive, but realistic salary growth over the first three years can range from a modest increase to approaches near the median salary, offering new officers potential financial incentives as they build their careers in this vital public service.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for police officers in Camas in 2026?
How fast do police officer salaries grow in Camas?
Is law enforcement school worth it in Camas?
What do new police officers make right out of school in Camas?
How do I become a police officer in Washington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas 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