Police Officer Salary in Castle Rock, CO: $98,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Castle Rock, CO earns a median $98,088/year (≈ $47.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Castle Rock's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $93,417 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Castle Rock, Colorado, the projected median salary for police officers in 2026 stands at $98,088, surpassing the national median of $78,542 by 24.89%. This competitive compensation reflects a salary range from $64,245 at the 10th percentile to $143,578 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust framework for career advancement within the local force. With estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, Castle Rock's financial package is attractive for those considering a law enforcement career in this area. The local job market for police officers remains promising, with the potential for both salary growth and effective retirement benefits, especially considering the pension multiplier factors that are critical for long-term financial planning for officers.
About the Castle Rock Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,245 | $30.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,199 | $37.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,088 | $47.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,298 | $59.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,578 | $69.03 |
Median Salary Position
24.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Castle Rock
In Castle Rock, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,333 (2026 est.). At $98,088, the local median is 24.89% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Castle Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Castle Rock Police Officer Pay Compares
Castle Rock median: $98,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Castle Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,582 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +24.89% more |
Police Officers in Castle Rock, CO earn a median of $98,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.89% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% below the Colorado state average of $99,582.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Castle Rock has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Castle Rock, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,088 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,417 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,866
2025 BLS Actual
$95,176
2026 Current Est.
$98,088
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Castle Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,866 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,689 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,163 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,268 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,176 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Castle Rock metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $78,866 (2019) to $95,176 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,224 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Castle Rock 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) | $64,245 – $78,199 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,199 – $98,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,088 – $123,298 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,298 – $143,578 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Castle Rock
The local workforce consists of 14 police officers, which contributes to a smaller yet focused law enforcement community. The cost of living index in Castle Rock, set at 105, slightly above the national average, plays a significant role in determining take-home pay for officers. Among potential employers in the area, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries compared to county or state law enforcement agencies. Factors influencing pay scales include agency type, overtime structures, specialized assignments, and educational incentives. For aspiring officers or those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced education, such as a master's degree, along with targeted training in specialized units, can lead to meaningful pay increases. Emphasis on negotiating salary and benefits during the hiring process can further enhance financial prospects in Castle Rock's police officer pay landscape.
More salary data for Castle Rock, 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 $95,176 for police officersin the Castle Rock 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 Castle Rock 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