Police Officer Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $94,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $94,382/year (≈ $45.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $93,719 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Colorado Springs, the 2026 median salary for police officers is projected to be $94,382, which represents a 20.17% increase over the national median of $78,542 for the same year. The salary spectrum for police officers in this area ranges from $64,928 at the 10th percentile to $100,607 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse earning potential within different police departments and roles. This data, drawn from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights how overtime and mandatory court appearances can significantly enhance earnings beyond base salary, offering officers an economic incentive to take on additional responsibilities. With a local market employing approximately 1,240 police officers, the compensation structure reflects both the demand for law enforcement personnel and the varied specializations within the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,928 | $31.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,718 | $36.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,382 | $45.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,607 | $48.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,607 | $48.37 |
Median Salary Position
20.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,679 (2026 est.). At $94,382, the local median is 20.17% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Colorado Springs Police Officer Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $94,382/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,559 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +20.17% more |
Police Officers in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $94,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.17% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.20% below the Colorado state average of $99,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,382 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,719 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,030
2025 BLS Actual
$91,580
2026 Current Est.
$94,382
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 27.1% from $72,030 (2019) to $91,580 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,240 (35.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $64,928 – $75,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,718 – $94,382 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,382 – $100,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,607 – $100,607 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Colorado Springs
Analyzing the compensation picture further, the cost of living index in Colorado Springs stands at 100.707, slightly above the national average, which influences the real purchasing power of police officer pay in this region. Among the various employers, federal law enforcement agencies usually offer the highest salaries, followed by municipal police departments. Factors influencing the pay scale include agency type, specialized roles like SWAT or K-9 units, and union contract negotiations that often dictate overtime structures. For officers seeking to maximize their earnings, targeting a position with federal agencies or gaining specialized certifications can be beneficial strategies. Additionally, understanding the pension multiplier and negotiating for educational incentives can lead to significant long-term benefits, making it crucial for officers to navigate these compensation elements effectively in Colorado Springs.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, 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 $91,580 for police officersin the Colorado Springs 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