Police Officer Salary in Brighton, CO: $94,916 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Brighton, CO earns a median $94,916/year (≈ $45.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $90,396 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Brighton, Colorado, is projected at a median of $94,916, surpassing the national average by approximately 20.85%. The local salary range offers entry-level positions starting at $62,562 (P10), with seasoned officers potentially reaching $141,705 (P90). These figures are derived from state-level data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), adjusted for regional economic conditions. Given the city's positive job market for law enforcement, the competitive salary structure reflects Brighton's ongoing growth, also hinting at the larger economic dynamics at play within public safety roles in this area.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,562 | $30.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,407 | $36.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,916 | $45.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,492 | $58.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,705 | $68.12 |
Median Salary Position
20.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton
In Brighton, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,143 (2026 est.). At $94,916, the local median is 20.85% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brighton Police Officer Pay Compares
Brighton median: $94,916/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brighton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,597 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +20.85% more |
Police Officers in Brighton, CO earn a median of $94,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.85% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $99,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,916 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,396 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,315
2025 BLS Actual
$92,098
2026 Current Est.
$94,916
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,315 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,204 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,506 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,349 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,062 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,098 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,916 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,821 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $76,315 (2019) to $92,098 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,821 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,506 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton 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) | $62,562 – $75,407 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,407 – $94,916 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,916 – $121,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,492 – $141,705 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Brighton
Local employment conditions show that there are currently seven police officers working in Brighton. The cost of living index stands at 105, indicating a slightly above-average cost of living, which may impact overall take-home pay. In this environment, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive compensation, although other law enforcement agencies may provide additional benefits and opportunities for earnings. The disparity in pay within Brighton stems from factors such as agency type—federal positions generally exceed municipal salaries—as well as the complexity of union contracts, special assignments, and educational incentives. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing roles in federal law enforcement or additional certifications can significantly enhance salary potential while navigating Brighton's specific market conditions.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Brighton, CO in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 $92,098 for police officersin the Brighton 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 Brighton 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