Police Officer Salary in Aurora, CO: $102,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Aurora, CO earns a median $102,783/year (≈ $49.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $97,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer pay in Aurora CO reaches a median annual salary of $102,783, notably surpassing the national median of $78,542 by 30.86%. Salaries in this field are not only supportive of a robust local economy but also reflective of the substantial overtime associated with court appearances and special details that can significantly bolster officer compensation. The overall salary range in Aurora spans from $61,858 at the 10th percentile to $159,313 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse breadth of potential earnings based on experience, specialized assignments, and department policies. These figures are estimated based on 2025 BLS data adjustments for local cost-of-living conditions, revealing an essential insight into how effective remuneration can be influenced by overtime opportunities inherent in this occupation.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,858 | $29.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,926 | $37.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,783 | $49.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,562 | $63.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,313 | $76.59 |
Median Salary Position
30.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,455 (2026 est.). At $102,783, the local median is 30.86% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Police Officer Pay Compares
Aurora median: $102,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,596 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +30.86% more |
Police Officers in Aurora, CO earn a median of $102,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.86% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.20% above the Colorado state average of $99,596.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,783 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,889 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,640
2025 BLS Actual
$99,731
2026 Current Est.
$102,783
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,768 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,551 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,095 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,588 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,637 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,731 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,928 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $82,640 (2019) to $99,731 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,928 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,288 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $61,858 – $77,926 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,926 – $102,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,783 – $131,562 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,562 – $159,313 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Aurora
The job market for police officers in Aurora consists of 54 employed individuals, indicating a consistent need for law enforcement personnel in the area. The local cost-of-living index stands at 105, suggesting that while the salaries are competitive, the purchasing power might require careful financial planning. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, but federal agencies such as the FBI and ATF often provide higher pay due to their extensive resources and budget. Variances in compensation can be attributed to various factors, including agency type, union contract provisions, overtime structures, and special assignments like SWAT or K-9 units, which often come with additional stipends. Officers interested in maximizing their income in Aurora may benefit from pursuing specialized roles, securing education incentives, or exploring additional overtime opportunities to enhance their overall take-home pay while ensuring they remain compliant with the compensation structures established by their respective departments.
More salary data for Aurora, CO:
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 $99,731 for police officersin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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