Police Officer Salary in Buckeye, AZ: $74,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Buckeye, AZ earns a median $74,985/year (≈ $36.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Buckeye's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $76,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buckeye, Arizona, police officer salaries present a competitive picture for law enforcement professionals, driven in part by mandatory overtime that enhances overall pay. With a median annual salary projected at $74,985 in 2026, salaries span a range from $49,151 to $114,188. While the local median falls slightly below the national figure of $78,542, it still reflects a structured compensation system where special details and overtime can significantly boost earnings. This compensation framework is shaped by regional cost adjustments, allowing those who take on additional responsibilities or shifts to effectively elevate their annual pay.
About the Buckeye Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,151 | $23.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,579 | $28.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,985 | $36.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,056 | $45.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,188 | $54.90 |
Median Salary Position
4.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buckeye
In Buckeye, AZ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,037 (2026 est.). At $74,985, the local median is 4.53% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buckeye: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buckeye Police Officer Pay Compares
Buckeye median: $74,985/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buckeye Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $76,282 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -4.53% less |
Police Officers in Buckeye, AZ earn a median of $74,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% below the Arizona state average of $76,282.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buckeye has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buckeye, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,985 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,127 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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
$60,290
2025 BLS Actual
$72,759
2026 Current Est.
$74,985
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Buckeye (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,572 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,684 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,811 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,007 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,759 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,280 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buckeye metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,290 (2019) to $72,759 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,280 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,990 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buckeye 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) | $49,151 – $59,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,579 – $74,985 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,985 – $94,056 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,056 – $114,188 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Buckeye
The job market for police officers in Buckeye includes a small force of 19 officers, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the community. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, officers' take-home purchasing power often benefits from salary levels that, while slightly less than the national averages, still accommodate a reasonable quality of life. Among the various agencies, municipal police departments tend to offer attractive pay packages, though opportunities at federal levels can total notably higher compensation. The variance in pay across positions stems from factors such as agency type, local economy, and available special assignments that offer additional pay incentives. For Buckeye's officers, strategies for maximizing compensation include pursuing training for specialized roles, negotiating for shift differential pay, and considering potential pathways into federal law enforcement roles for post-retirement careers.
More salary data for Buckeye, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Buckeye, AZ in 2026?
Is Buckeye, AZ a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Buckeye?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Buckeye?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Buckeye?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 $72,759 for police officersin the Buckeye 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 Buckeye 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