Police Officer Salary in Sitka, AK: $76,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Sitka, AK earns a median $76,989/year (≈ $37.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Sitka's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $72,563 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Sitka, Alaska can expect a median annual salary of $76,989, slightly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this role in Sitka demonstrates significant variation, with entry-level earnings starting at $52,385 and experienced officers earning upwards of $108,768. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions in Sitka, where the cost of living index stands at 106.1, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the expenses associated with living in this region also play a critical role in the overall compensation equation. As overtime from court appearances and special details can heavily influence total earnings, many officers experience substantial boosts to their effective pay.
About the Sitka Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,385 | $25.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,147 | $29.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,989 | $37.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,583 | $45.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,768 | $52.29 |
Median Salary Position
1.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sitka
In Sitka, AK, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,383 (2026 est.). At $76,989, the local median is 1.98% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sitka: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sitka Police Officer Pay Compares
Sitka median: $76,989/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sitka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $83,321 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.98% less |
Police Officers in Sitka, AK earn a median of $76,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.60% below the Alaska state average of $83,321.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sitka has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sitka, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,989 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,563 — a 5.75% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,901
2025 BLS Actual
$74,703
2026 Current Est.
$76,989
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Sitka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,901 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,244 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,332 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,489 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,851 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,379 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,345 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sitka metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,901 (2019) to $74,703 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,345 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,444 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sitka 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,385 – $62,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,147 – $76,989 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,989 – $95,583 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,583 – $108,768 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Sitka
Currently, there are five police officers employed in Sitka, revealing a relatively small but dedicated workforce in law enforcement. The cost of living in the area suggests that despite the seemingly favorable salary range, actual take-home purchasing power may be tighter in comparison to the lower cost of living elsewhere. Among the entities hiring these officers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, although federal positions often provide higher compensation, particularly in specialized roles. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include agency type, with federal law enforcement generally leading, and supplemental compensation avenues such as overtime pay from union contracts, specialty unit assignments, and educational incentives. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Sitka, pursuing special unit assignments or furthering education can enhance both salary and job security in a region that reflects the broader trends of rural versus urban pay disparities in law enforcement.
More salary data for Sitka, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Sitka, AK in 2026?
Is Sitka, AK a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Sitka?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Sitka?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Sitka?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alaska
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $74,703 for police officersin the Sitka metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sitka 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