Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Redmond, WA: $61,837 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Redmond, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,837 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Redmond's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,576 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,768) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the police force as a new graduate in Redmond, Washington, can be a promising career choice in 2026, given the entry-level police officer salary landscape. The starting salary, with a bottom percentile of $61,837, presents a realistic starting point for those just beginning their careers. While this figure falls short of the median annual salary of $102,768 for police officers in the city, it reflects a standard progression in law enforcement compensation. New officers can grow through the ranks, with salary expectations increasing as they gain experience; from an entry-level position, one can anticipate reaching around $77,510 after a few years, giving new officers a positive outlook in a relatively stable job market.
About the Redmond Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Redmond
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 Redmond
Entry-level police officers in Redmond, WA typically start between $61,837 and $77,510 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $97,454 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,768 — 30.84% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Washington of $8,000 represents just 12.94% of the starting police officer pay ($61,837/year) in Redmond. 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 Redmond
- 1Research the Redmond market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $61,837 to $77,510, 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 Redmond, 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 Redmond for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Redmond'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 Redmond is $97,454 ( 157.60%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,837, experienced hygienists can earn up to $159,291.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,677
2025 BLS Actual
$60,001
2026 Current Est.
$61,837
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Redmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,677 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,521 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,756 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,224 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,084 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,915 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,837 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,729 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Redmond, WA grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $46,677 in 2019 to $60,001 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,729. New graduates entering the Redmond job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redmond 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 Redmond
Several employers in Redmond actively seek to fill entry-level police officer positions, primarily through municipal departments that recruit candidates from structured POST academies. State police and highway patrol also offer opportunities, although they typically look for candidates with state academy training. The ideal candidate will possess a high school diploma and certification from the Washington State Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy, which generally requires 6-9 months of training and successful completion of various evaluations. Pursuing additional credentials such as a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or specialty certifications can significantly enhance earning potential. Those aiming for progressive roles should align their career strategies accordingly, as salary growth in Redmond over the first three years can yield substantial increases, particularly when transitioning to better-paying positions. While entry-level opportunities in urban areas often come with higher pay compared to rural jurisdictions, new graduates should also consider organized labor representation through the NLEA or FOP, which can protect benefits and negotiate salaries for police officers.
More salary data for Redmond, WA:
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 Redmond. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Redmond 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