Police Officer Salary in Waterbury, CT: $85,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Waterbury, CT earns a median $85,365/year (≈ $41.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $85,555 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, CT, the median annual police officer salary stands at $85,365 for 2026, surpassing the national median by 8.69%. This figure, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a salary range that stretches from $71,771 at the 10th percentile to $107,780 at the 90th percentile. The opportunity for overtime, particularly through mandatory court appearances and special details, can significantly enhance earnings, making these additional hours a vital component of overall police officer pay in Waterbury. This robust salary range indicates a competitive job market for law enforcement professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,771 | $34.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,768 | $39.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,365 | $41.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,074 | $43.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,780 | $51.82 |
Median Salary Position
8.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,009 (2026 est.). At $85,365, the local median is 8.69% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterbury Police Officer Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $85,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $85,194 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +8.69% more |
Police Officers in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $85,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.69% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.20% above the Connecticut state average of $85,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $85,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,555 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,620
2025 BLS Actual
$82,830
2026 Current Est.
$85,365
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,977 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 14.1% from $72,620 (2019) to $82,830 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,977 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,357 (21.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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) | $71,771 – $81,768 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,768 – $85,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,365 – $91,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,074 – $107,780 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Waterbury
The local job market features approximately 640 police officers currently employed, underscoring a stable demand for law enforcement personnel in Waterbury. With a cost-of-living index at 99.778, officers must navigate a slightly below-average economic environment, which impacts their take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide competitive compensation, though federal agencies, such as the FBI or DEA, may offer higher pay scales, especially for those seeking post-retirement opportunities in corporate security. Variations within pay stems primarily from factors such as the type of agency, union contracts that dictate overtime structures, and potential incentives linked to special assignments or education levels. To maximize earnings in this market, officers should focus on seeking additional training, pursuing special unit assignments, and negotiating for overtime opportunities.
More salary data for Waterbury, 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 $82,830 for police officersin the Waterbury 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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