Police Officer Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $62,372 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $62,372/year (≈ $29.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $62,369 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Palm Bay, Florida, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $62,372 as projected for 2026, which reveals a notable gap when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city spans from $50,572 at the 10th percentile to $79,068 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential depending on factors such as experience, department size, and job function. This data emerges from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reflects the employment landscape uniquely influenced by the structural choices between federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies. In Palm Bay, where local police salaries might be lower than their federal counterparts, the choice of employment within varying agency types can significantly impact earning capacity and job satisfaction.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,572 | $24.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,878 | $27.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,372 | $29.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,749 | $35.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,068 | $38.02 |
Median Salary Position
20.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,496 (2026 est.). At $62,372, the local median is 20.59% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Bay Police Officer Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $62,372/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,556 | -11.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -20.59% less |
Police Officers in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $62,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.59% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 11.60% below the Florida state average of $70,556.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,372 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,369 — a 0% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,380
2025 BLS Actual
$60,520
2026 Current Est.
$62,372
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,372 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,280 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 27.7% from $47,380 (2019) to $60,520 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,280 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,900 (35.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $50,572 – $57,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,878 – $62,372 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,372 – $74,749 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,749 – $79,068 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Palm Bay
The job market for police officers in Palm Bay is robust, with approximately 1,240 individuals employed as of the latest estimates. The cost of living index stands at 100.005, which aligns closely with the national average and suggests that officers' take-home pay may not stretch as far as in higher-cost regions. Within the area, municipal departments tend to provide salaries on the lower end of the spectrum, while federal law enforcement roles, such as those with agencies like the FBI or DEA, tend to pay significantly more, driven by stricter requirements and additional training pathways. The spread between lower and higher salaries often hinges on agency type, union agreements, special assignments, and educational incentives, which can offer bonuses for advanced degrees. Officers aiming to increase their earnings should consider pursuing specialized training or educational opportunities and seeking assignments in SWAT or detective units, as these roles typically come with increased compensatory benefits.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
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 $60,520 for police officersin the Palm Bay 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