Police Officer Salary in Middletown, DE: $67,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Middletown, DE earns a median $67,893/year (≈ $32.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $66,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a police officer in Middletown, Delaware, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $67,893. This figure reflects the local economic conditions, where salaries range from $44,097 at the lower end to $95,928 for the upper echelons of the pay scale. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price variations. It's essential to recognize that effective pay can significantly increase through mandatory overtime from court appearances and special details, which amplifies take-home pay for officers. The financial dynamics in Middletown imply that while the salary might trail the national median, opportunities for extra earnings via overtime are integral to understanding compensation in this community.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,097 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,279 | $25.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,893 | $32.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,297 | $40.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,928 | $46.12 |
Median Salary Position
13.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, DE, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,831 (2026 est.). At $67,893, the local median is 13.56% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Police Officer Pay Compares
Middletown median: $67,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $73,477 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -13.56% less |
Police Officers in Middletown, DE earn a median of $67,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.56% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $73,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,893 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,758 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,588
2025 BLS Actual
$65,877
2026 Current Est.
$67,893
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,588 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,654 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,877 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $54,588 (2019) to $65,877 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,382 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $44,097 – $53,279 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,279 – $67,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,893 – $84,297 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,297 – $95,928 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Middletown
Examining the local job market, only six police officers are currently employed in Middletown, indicating a compact law enforcement community that may provide a close-knit working environment. The cost of living index registers at 101.7, suggesting that while salaries may appear modest compared to national averages, costs are slightly above the national median, impacting overall purchasing power. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, but positions in federal law enforcement agencies tend to be the most lucrative, alongside state police roles which bridge federal and local pay scales. Factors such as agency type, overtime contracts, special assignments, and educational incentives create the disparity in earnings between the lowest and highest paid officers. For those in Middletown, pursuing opportunities for overtime, engaging in special units, and maximizing education credentials can be effective strategies for enhancing overall police officer pay in this region.
More salary data for Middletown, 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 $65,877 for police officersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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