Police Officer Salary in Bear, DE: $70,419 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bear, DE earns a median $70,419/year (≈ $33.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bear's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $69,242 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bear, Delaware, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is estimated to be $70,419, which reflects a compensation structure that incorporates both local cost considerations and the pension multiplier formula prevalent in law enforcement careers. Officers can expect to earn between $46,313 and $97,548 annually, depending on experience, specialized assignments, and agency types. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional market conditions. While this salary might be appealing within the context of Bear, it is important to acknowledge that it falls approximately 10.34% below the national median of $78,542, highlighting local economic conditions and job market variables.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,313 | $22.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,680 | $26.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,419 | $33.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,436 | $41.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,548 | $46.90 |
Median Salary Position
10.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bear
In Bear, DE, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,235 (2026 est.). At $70,419, the local median is 10.34% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bear: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bear Police Officer Pay Compares
Bear median: $70,419/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bear Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $73,506 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -10.34% less |
Police Officers in Bear, DE earn a median of $70,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.34% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $73,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bear has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bear, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,419 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,242 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,619
2025 BLS Actual
$68,328
2026 Current Est.
$70,419
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,328 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,419 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bear metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $56,619 (2019) to $68,328 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,955 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bear 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) | $46,313 – $55,680 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,680 – $70,419 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,419 – $86,436 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,436 – $97,548 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bear
Despite the competitive salary range, Bear currently employs only six police officers, indicating a relatively small local job market. The cost-of-living index in Bear, measured at 101.7, suggests that while expenses may be slightly higher than the national average, the purchasing power of police officer pay in Bear DE is still constrained. Among the employers in this area, municipal police departments typically offer the best compensation. The variation in officer salaries stems from various factors like agency type, with federal positions generally yielding higher wages due to comprehensive benefits and overtime opportunities. For those looking to maximize their salary, pursuing specialized training or assignments can be advantageous, as well as engaging with local labor representation to negotiate pay structures that enhance total compensation over a lifetime of service.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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 $68,328 for police officersin the Bear 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 Bear 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