Police Officer Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $81,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $81,077/year (≈ $38.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $80,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Flagstaff, AZ is projected to be $81,077 annually, which is approximately 3.23% higher than the national median of $78,542. This salary is notably supported by opportunities for overtime, especially from mandatory court appearances and special details, contributing significantly to overall earnings. The expected pay range for police officers in the area stretches from $62,568 at the 10th percentile to $95,310 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a robust compensation framework that underscores the importance of overtime in boosting effective pay for law enforcement professionals. In a city like Flagstaff, where the cost of living slightly exceeds the national average, having access to extra earnings is crucial for maintaining financial stability.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,568 | $30.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,731 | $32.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,077 | $38.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,819 | $40.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,310 | $45.82 |
Median Salary Position
3.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,742 (2026 est.). At $81,077, the local median is 3.23% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be above the median
How Flagstaff Police Officer Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $81,077/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $76,272 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +3.23% more |
Police Officers in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $81,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.23% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.30% above the Arizona state average of $76,272.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 0.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 100.325 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,077 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,814 — a 0.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,390
2025 BLS Actual
$78,670
2026 Current Est.
$81,077
2019–2027 Growth
+48.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 39.5% from $56,390 (2019) to $78,670 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,168 (48.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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) | $62,568 – $67,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,731 – $81,077 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,077 – $83,819 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,819 – $95,310 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Flagstaff
With 260 police officers currently employed in the area, Flagstaff’s job market demonstrates solid demand within law enforcement, despite the higher cost-of-living index of 100.325. This increased cost means that take-home pay after taxes and living expenses must be carefully managed. Among the various employers in the region, municipal police departments usually provide competitive pay, while federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI or DEA, tend to offer the most lucrative compensation packages due to the complexities of the roles and available benefits. Factors influencing the disparity in earnings include agency type, union contracts for overtime, special unit assignments that can command additional stipends, and educational incentives that often reward advanced degrees with extra pay. Officers seeking to maximize pay in Flagstaff should focus on securing promotions, pursuing specialized training, and considering the accumulation of overtime hours, especially in high-demand assignments that enhance their overall earnings potential.
More salary data for Flagstaff, 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 $78,670 for police officersin the Flagstaff 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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