Police Officer Salary in Denver, CO: $105,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Denver, CO earns a median $105,090/year (≈ $50.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $99,346 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Denver, Colorado can expect a median annual salary of $105,090, reflecting a strong compensation structure compared to the national average. This figure is positioned against a salary range that spans from $78,985 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $117,107 at the upper end (90th percentile). The data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the long-term financial benefits of a career in law enforcement, especially considering the pension multiplier formula that can significantly enhance retirement earnings. Such factors make the police officer salary in Denver one of the more competitive offers nationwide, where the average annual pay is $78,542, indicating a substantial 33.80% advantage for local officers in terms of salary.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,985 | $37.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,148 | $41.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,090 | $50.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,295 | $52.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,107 | $56.30 |
Median Salary Position
33.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,122 (2026 est.). At $105,090, the local median is 33.8% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be above the median
How Denver Police Officer Pay Compares
Denver median: $105,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,612 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +33.80% more |
Police Officers in Denver, CO earn a median of $105,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.80% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.50% above the Colorado state average of $99,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,090 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,346 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,840
2025 BLS Actual
$101,970
2026 Current Est.
$105,090
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.2% from $84,840 (2019) to $101,970 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,466 (27.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $78,985 – $86,148 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,148 – $105,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,090 – $109,295 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,295 – $117,107 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Denver
Currently, approximately 4,990 police officers serve the Denver area, reflecting a robust local job market. However, the cost of living index in Denver stands at 105.782, indicating a higher expense of living compared to the national average. This reality emphasizes the importance of strategic salary negotiations and taking advantage of various pay scales within law enforcement. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically provide competitive compensation packages, with state police and federal law enforcement often paying higher salaries, especially for specialized roles. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include agency types, union contracts, and assignment bonuses for specialized units. To maximize earnings, officers should consider pursuing advanced education, participating in overtime opportunities, and actively seeking roles within specialized divisions. Understanding the local dynamics and leveraging existing labor representation, such as the FOP or NLEA, can also enhance overall career satisfaction and financial gain in police officer pay in Denver, CO.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Denver, CO in 2026?
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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 $101,970 for police officersin the Denver 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