Police Officer Salary in Bullhead City, AZ: $74,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bullhead City, AZ earns a median $74,305/year (≈ $35.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bullhead City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $75,437 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bullhead City, Arizona, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $74,305. This figure places local compensation for law enforcement slightly below the national median of $78,542, reflecting the economic dynamics at play in the region. Within the city's job market, salaries range from $49,044 at the 10th percentile to $111,384 at the 90th percentile. The data, derived from BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for regional price parity, demonstrates a competitive yet challenging environment for police officer pay in Bullhead City. With nine police officers currently employed in the area, the city presents limited opportunities for advancement, but the compensation structure is informed by the choice between federal, municipal, and state law enforcement roles.
About the Bullhead City Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,044 | $23.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,314 | $28.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,305 | $35.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,111 | $45.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,384 | $53.55 |
Median Salary Position
5.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bullhead City
In Bullhead City, AZ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,340 (2026 est.). At $74,305, the local median is 5.39% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bullhead City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bullhead City Police Officer Pay Compares
Bullhead City median: $74,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bullhead City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $76,289 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.39% less |
Police Officers in Bullhead City, AZ earn a median of $74,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.39% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.60% below the Arizona state average of $76,289.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bullhead City 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.
Bullhead City, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,305 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,437 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,743
2025 BLS Actual
$72,099
2026 Current Est.
$74,305
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bullhead City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,743 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,125 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,241 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,381 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,233 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,099 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,579 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bullhead City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,743 (2019) to $72,099 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,579 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,836 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bullhead City 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) | $49,044 – $59,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,314 – $74,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,305 – $95,111 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,111 – $111,384 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bullhead City
The cost of living index in Bullhead City is 98.5, indicating that it is slightly lower than the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of the police officer salary in Bullhead City. Most notably, municipal police departments often provide the highest salaries in the region when comparing different law enforcement agencies, outpacing county sheriff's offices and state police. The pay variation in Bulhead City can be attributed to agency type, with federal roles typically offering more lucrative compensation packages. Factors such as shift differentials, educational incentives, and union contract stipulations also significantly influence pay. Officers can maximize their earnings by pursuing specialized roles, such as detective or SWAT, which come with stipends, and by advancing their education, as many departments reward higher degrees with pay boosts. In this economic climate, strategic career moves are essential for enhancing long-term earning potential.
More salary data for Bullhead City, AZ:
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
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 $72,099 for police officersin the Bullhead City 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 Bullhead City 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