Police Officer Salary in Melbourne, FL: $63,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Melbourne, FL earns a median $63,812/year (≈ $30.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Melbourne's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $63,306 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Melbourne, Florida, can expect a median annual salary of $63,812 in 2026, which remains lower when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this region varies considerably, from $39,817 at the 10th percentile to $94,661 at the 90th percentile. The figures reported here are local estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost disparities. With an annual growth rate of 3.06%, the police officer salary in Melbourne reflects a steady advancement in compensation, albeit still trailing behind national averages. This market reality influences the recruitment and retention of skilled officers, especially as the role of a police officer extends beyond basic enforcement duties to encompass a range of community engagement and public service responsibilities.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,817 | $19.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,194 | $23.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,812 | $30.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,965 | $38.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,661 | $45.51 |
Median Salary Position
18.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Melbourne
In Melbourne, FL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,844 (2026 est.). At $63,812, the local median is 18.75% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Melbourne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Melbourne Police Officer Pay Compares
Melbourne median: $63,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Melbourne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,510 | -9.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -18.75% less |
Police Officers in Melbourne, FL earn a median of $63,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 9.50% below the Florida state average of $70,510.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Melbourne has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Melbourne, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,812 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,306 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,306
2025 BLS Actual
$61,917
2026 Current Est.
$63,812
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,306 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,493 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,451 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,724 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,299 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,917 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Melbourne metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $51,306 (2019) to $61,917 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,458 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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) | $39,817 – $49,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,194 – $63,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,812 – $80,965 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,965 – $94,661 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Melbourne
In Melbourne, there are currently 12 police officers employed, indicating a relatively small but stable local law enforcement presence. The cost-of-living index sits slightly above the national average at 100.8, suggesting that while salaries may seem modest, they must also be viewed in the context of local purchasing power. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically offer better compensation than state and federal agencies, making local roles more attractive. Factors influencing pay include the type of agency, special assignments like SWAT or detective roles, and potential for overtime through union contracts. To maximize compensation, officers should seek opportunities for advanced training and specialization, which could yield additional pay through educational incentives or shift differentials, ultimately enhancing their long-term financial outlook through favorable pension multiplier benefits.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Melbourne, FL in 2026?
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Can police officers make $100K in Melbourne?
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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 $61,917 for police officersin the Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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