Police Officer Salary in Stratford, CT: $84,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Stratford, CT earns a median $84,389/year (≈ $40.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Stratford's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $78,210 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officer salaries in Stratford, CT, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $84,389 in 2026, reflecting a competitive positioning against the national average of $78,542. The salary range for officers varies considerably, with entry-level positions beginning at $49,622 and experienced personnel earning up to $124,470. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, incorporating local economic conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. Importantly, the demand for overtime in mandatory court appearances and special details significantly affects total earnings, enabling officers to enhance their pay through extra shifts and assignments. This dynamic creates an attractive scenario for law enforcement professionals considering a career in Stratford.
About the Stratford Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,622 | $23.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,844 | $32.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,389 | $40.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,644 | $51.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,470 | $59.84 |
Median Salary Position
7.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stratford
In Stratford, CT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,848 (2026 est.). At $84,389, the local median is 7.44% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stratford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stratford Police Officer Pay Compares
Stratford median: $84,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stratford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $85,155 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +7.44% more |
Police Officers in Stratford, CT earn a median of $84,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.44% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the Connecticut state average of $85,155.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stratford has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stratford, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,389 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,210 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,851
2025 BLS Actual
$81,883
2026 Current Est.
$84,389
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Stratford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,851 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,419 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,687 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,971 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stratford metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $67,851 (2019) to $81,883 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,120 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stratford 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) | $49,622 – $67,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,844 – $84,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,389 – $106,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,644 – $124,470 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Stratford
The job market for police officers in Stratford consists of approximately 13 active officers, indicating a stable but limited pool of opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 107.9, expenses in Stratford are slightly higher than the national average, affecting the overall purchasing power of take-home pay. Among local employers, municipal police departments offer competitive compensation, though those seeking higher salaries may consider federal law enforcement agencies or specialized units within local departments, such as SWAT or K-9 teams. The variance in salaries is influenced by agency type, union agreements that include overtime benefits, and educational incentives, leading to substantial differences in pay. Officers looking to maximize compensation can enhance their income through specialized training, seeking roles with additional stipends, and remaining aware of their pension multipliers, which can significantly impact long-term financial stability in retirement.
More salary data for Stratford, 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 $81,883 for police officersin the Stratford 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 Stratford 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