Police Officer Salary in Lakewood, CO: $99,651 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lakewood, CO earns a median $99,651/year (≈ $47.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $94,906 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Lakewood, Colorado, benefit from a robust compensation structure that includes a median annual salary of $99,651 in 2026. The salary range is considerable, spanning from $63,737 at the lower 10th percentile to an impressive $154,393 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences in Lakewood. The potential for long-term financial security through pension plans further enhances the appeal of policing as a profession in this area, where job stability and earnings increasingly rival many private-sector opportunities.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,737 | $30.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,169 | $37.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,651 | $47.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,553 | $61.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,393 | $74.22 |
Median Salary Position
26.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,656 (2026 est.). At $99,651, the local median is 26.88% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Police Officer Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $99,651/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $99,551 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +26.88% more |
Police Officers in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $99,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.88% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $99,551.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,651 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,906 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,122
2025 BLS Actual
$96,692
2026 Current Est.
$99,651
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,122 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,154 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,974 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,472 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,706 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,692 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,651 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $80,122 (2019) to $96,692 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,578 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $63,737 – $78,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,169 – $99,651 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,651 – $127,553 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,553 – $154,393 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lakewood
With 27 police officers currently employed in Lakewood, CO, the local job market remains relatively stable despite economic fluctuations. The cost of living index sits at 105, which is above the national average and can impact the real purchasing power of officers in the area. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally offer competitive salaries, but opportunities in federal law enforcement tend to outshine them, with positions at agencies like the FBI providing greater financial incentives. The wage gap between various agencies often reflects nuances in contract structures, overtime pay, and the nature of assignments—such as special units—combined with the pension multiplier system that officers need to consider for long-term financial health. To maximize their earnings in Lakewood, police officers should explore additional educational qualifications and actively seek opportunities for overtime and specialized training that can command higher pay.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $96,692 for police officersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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