Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Superior, WI: $51,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Superior, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,273 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Superior's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,896 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($77,066) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a new career in law enforcement in Superior, Wisconsin, the starting pay for entry-level police officers is projected at $51,273 by 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $77,066, creating a noticeable gap. New graduates can expect to gain experience and see pay increases as they transition from this entry-level figure to the $61,578 mark at the 25th percentile within a few years. Given the anticipated growth trajectory of 3.06% annually, entering the law enforcement field in Superior can prove to be a promising choice for new officers, especially considering the lower cost of living in the area, which sits at a cost of living index of 93.4.
About the Superior Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Superior
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 Superior
Entry-level police officers in Superior, WI typically start between $51,273 and $61,578 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,345 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $77,066 — 1.88% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Wisconsin of $6,000 represents just 11.70% of the starting police officer pay ($51,273/year) in Superior. 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 Superior
- 1Research the Superior market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $51,273 to $61,578, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Superior, 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 Superior for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Superior's below-average 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 Superior is $64,345 ( 125.49%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,273, experienced hygienists can earn up to $115,618.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,703
2025 BLS Actual
$49,751
2026 Current Est.
$51,273
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Superior (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,703 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,232 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,086 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,332 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,498 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,751 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,842 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Superior, WI grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,703 in 2019 to $49,751 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $52,842. New graduates entering the Superior job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Superior 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 Superior
In Superior, various employers actively recruit new graduates for police officer positions, including municipal police departments that hire through the structured Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy route. This academy typically lasts 6-9 months and prepares candidates through rigorous physical fitness and psychological evaluations. While the entry-level roles may have a lower starting police officer salary in Superior, those with additional credentials, like a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or specialized training such as SWAT or K-9 handling, can not only enhance their starting pay but also provide a broader range of career opportunities. Moving forward, officers can expect realistic salary growth as they advance from entry-level positions in their first few years, given the competitive structures of pay in surrounding regions and the fact that experienced officers with strong backgrounds can transition to higher-paying positions, such as federal law enforcement or specialized roles within state police.
More salary data for Superior, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is law enforcement school worth it in Superior?
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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 Superior. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Superior 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