Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Rawlins, WY: $38,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Rawlins, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,535 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rawlins's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,224 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($60,756) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A new graduate entering the police force in Rawlins, Wyoming, can expect to start with a salary of around $38,535, which represents the lower end of the pay scale for entry-level officers. While this figure falls short of the city’s median annual salary of $60,756, it offers a pathway for growth. Over the first several years, early-career officers have the potential to advance to around $47,197, nearing the 25th percentile as they gain experience and skill in their roles. Rawlins presents a unique opportunity for new officers with its relatively stable employment market and potential upward mobility, thanks to a projected annual growth rate of 3.06% in the coming years, making it a viable place for those looking to begin their law enforcement careers.
About the Rawlins Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rawlins
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 Rawlins
Entry-level police officers in Rawlins, WY typically start between $38,535 and $47,197 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,206 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $60,756 — 22.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Wyoming of $4,500 represents just 11.68% of the starting police officer pay ($38,535/year) in Rawlins. 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 Rawlins
- 1Research the Rawlins market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $38,535 to $47,197, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Rawlins, 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 Rawlins for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Rawlins'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 Rawlins is $50,206 ( 130.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,535, experienced hygienists can earn up to $88,741.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,088
2025 BLS Actual
$37,391
2026 Current Est.
$38,535
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Rawlins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,088 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,237 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,921 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,573 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,769 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,714 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Rawlins, WY grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,088 in 2019 to $37,391 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,714. New graduates entering the Rawlins job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rawlins 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 Rawlins
As new graduates pursue entry-level positions, they should focus on applying to local municipal departments, which typically engage in hiring through structured POST academy programs. In Rawlins, the local police force is likely to value candidates who have completed this training, which equips them with the fundamental skills needed for the job. Additionally, enhancing credentials through ongoing education, such as specialized certifications or even a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, can significantly impact starting police officer pay in WY. Those aiming to move into state police or federal roles will also find differing salary expectations; federal law enforcement positions generally provide a higher pay scale, often linked to the GS-13 classification. It is crucial for newly minted officers to strategize their development over the first few years — with incremental salary increases, they can expect their compensation to gradually rise, fostering long-term career growth in a market that often experiences disparities between urban and rural pay structures.
More salary data for Rawlins, WY:
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 Rawlins. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rawlins 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