Police Officer Salary in Bristol, CT: $84,509 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bristol, CT earns a median $84,509/year (≈ $40.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $78,322 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Bristol, Connecticut, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $84,509, reflecting a strong position compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for local officers spans from $49,887 at the lower 10th percentile to $130,043 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant disparities based on experience, special assignments, and overtime opportunities. Compounding this, many officers take advantage of mandatory court appearances and special detail assignments, which can substantially boost their earnings through overtime pay. These figures are estimates derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variances, highlighting Bristol's competitive market for law enforcement roles.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,887 | $23.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,088 | $32.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,509 | $40.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,172 | $52.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,043 | $62.52 |
Median Salary Position
7.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,156 (2026 est.). At $84,509, the local median is 7.6% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Police Officer Pay Compares
Bristol median: $84,509/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $85,191 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +7.60% more |
Police Officers in Bristol, CT earn a median of $84,509 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.60% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $85,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,509 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,322 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,948
2025 BLS Actual
$82,000
2026 Current Est.
$84,509
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,788 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,771 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,509 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,095 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $67,948 (2019) to $82,000 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,095 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,147 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $49,887 – $68,088 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,088 – $84,509 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,509 – $108,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,172 – $130,043 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bristol
Examining the local job market reveals that only 13 police officers are employed in Bristol, leading to a concentrated labor supply and demand scenario. With a cost-of-living index of 107.9, law enforcement professionals in this city need to navigate a slightly higher expense environment, affecting their take-home purchasing power. Among the various employers, city police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, followed closely by state police and county sheriff's offices. Diverse factors drive the ranges in pay, including federal versus municipal structures, union agreements that incorporate overtime stipulations, and educational incentives, which reward advanced degrees with bonus percentages. Officers aspiring to maximize their earnings in Bristol should consider pursuing specialized units, taking on additional shifts, and negotiating overtime opportunities effectively, especially given the structure of pensions that can add financial stability over time.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
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 $82,000 for police officersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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