Police Officer Salary in Erie, CO: $98,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Erie, CO earns a median $98,525/year (≈ $47.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Erie's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $93,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Erie, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is set at $98,525, which significantly exceeds the national median of $78,542 by approximately 25.44%. The salary range for this role spans from $62,470 at the 10th percentile to $141,191 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences. The competitive pay structure in Erie can be attributed to the municipal, county, and federal law enforcement presence in the area, where municipal departments typically offer solid remuneration to attract and retain qualified officers, particularly within urban settings where living costs are higher than the national average.
About the Erie Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,470 | $30.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,756 | $36.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,525 | $47.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,767 | $59.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,191 | $67.88 |
Median Salary Position
25.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,721 (2026 est.). At $98,525, the local median is 25.44% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Police Officer Pay Compares
Erie median: $98,525/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,621 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +25.44% more |
Police Officers in Erie, CO earn a median of $98,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.44% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.10% below the Colorado state average of $99,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,525 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,833 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,217
2025 BLS Actual
$95,600
2026 Current Est.
$98,525
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,217 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,215 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,049 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,802 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $79,217 (2019) to $95,600 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,323 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $62,470 – $76,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,756 – $98,525 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,525 – $122,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,767 – $141,191 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Erie
At present, Erie employs five police officers, highlighting a compact yet stable local law enforcement job market. With a cost-of-living index of 105, officers need to ensure that their salaries support sustainable living standards in this suburban context. Among various employing agencies, federal law enforcement roles tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly due to overtime provisions and benefits associated with agencies like the FBI. The disparity in pay can often hinge on specific factors, including agency type, specialized assignments, shift differentials, and educational incentives. To maximize their earnings in Erie, officers should consider pursuing specialized certifications or training that opens the door to higher-paying positions such as those in investigative units or task forces, thereby enhancing both their professional development and financial stability.
More salary data for Erie, 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 $95,600 for police officersin the Erie 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 Erie 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