Police Officer Salary in Durango, CO: $93,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Durango, CO earns a median $93,306/year (≈ $44.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Durango's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $88,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Durango, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $93,306, surpassing the national average of $78,542 by approximately 18.80%. The salary range for officers within the city, from $65,712 at the 10th percentile to $134,278 at the 90th percentile, reflects a competitive pay structure that considers the local cost of living dynamics. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, illustrate a favorable outlook for law enforcement professionals in Durango as the region continues to emphasize the importance of competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled officers. Economic stability and ongoing funding for public safety further enhance the job market prospects for police officers in this picturesque Colorado town.
About the Durango Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,712 | $31.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,936 | $36.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,306 | $44.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,913 | $54.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,278 | $64.56 |
Median Salary Position
18.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durango
In Durango, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,566 (2026 est.). At $93,306, the local median is 18.8% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durango: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durango Police Officer Pay Compares
Durango median: $93,306/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durango Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,580 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +18.80% more |
Police Officers in Durango, CO earn a median of $93,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.80% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $99,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durango has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durango, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $93,306 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,863 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,021
2025 BLS Actual
$90,536
2026 Current Est.
$93,306
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,755 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,157 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,867 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,162 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durango metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $75,021 (2019) to $90,536 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,141 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durango 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) | $65,712 – $76,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,936 – $93,306 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,306 – $113,913 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,913 – $134,278 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Durango
The job market for law enforcement in Durango includes a total of only five police officers currently employed, indicating a relatively small but stable workforce within the community. The region's cost of living index of 105 suggests a moderate housing and lifestyle expense, which can affect take-home pay dynamics for officers. Among employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive wages, but opportunities with county sheriff's offices and specialized units like SWAT could lead to higher earnings as well. Factors influencing variations in police officer pay in Durango include agency type and specialized duty assignments, with federal positions generally offering the highest compensation. To maximize their earning potential, officers in the area should consider pursuing additional training or certifications that may unlock overtime pay, educational incentives, and specialized operational roles, which often come with higher salary brackets.
More salary data for Durango, 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 $90,536 for police officersin the Durango 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 Durango 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