Police Officer Salary in Wildwood, FL: $75,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wildwood, FL earns a median $75,213/year (≈ $36.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.4), that paycheck buys what $88,047 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected police officer salary in Wildwood, Florida, reaches a median of $75,213, slightly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this area demonstrates significant potential, with the lowest earners at approximately $58,899 and the highest at $92,713. These figures stem from official BLS OEWS surveys, which reflect regional market conditions and the pension multiplier formula impacting long-term compensation. With a steady growth rate of 3.06% projected over the next five years, Wildwood offers a competitive landscape for police officer pay, particularly when considering the demand for law enforcement in this part of Florida.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,899 | $28.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,454 | $30.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,213 | $36.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,779 | $37.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,713 | $44.57 |
Median Salary Position
4.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, FL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,814 (2026 est.). At $75,213, the local median is 4.24% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wildwood Police Officer Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $75,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $70,556 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -4.24% less |
Police Officers in Wildwood, FL earn a median of $75,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.24% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.60% above the Florida state average of $70,556.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood has a cost of living 14.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wildwood, FL has a cost-of-living index of 85.424 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $75,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,047 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,474
2025 BLS Actual
$72,980
2026 Current Est.
$75,213
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,474 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,872 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,002 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,217 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,515 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,474 (2019) to $72,980 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,515 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,041 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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) | $58,899 – $64,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,454 – $75,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,213 – $77,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,779 – $92,713 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wildwood
Wildwood currently employs around 220 police officers, making it essential to understand the local job market's dynamics. A cost-of-living index of 85.424 indicates that expenses in Wildwood are below the national average, enhancing purchasing power for law enforcement personnel. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most favorable compensation packages, although county sheriff's offices may also provide competitive salaries. Variations between pay levels can be attributed to several factors, such as the type of agency, union contract provisions, and special assignment premiums like SWAT or K-9 roles. For officers seeking to maximize their police officer pay in Wildwood, focusing on additional certifications and pursuing educational incentives can significantly enhance their earnings potential.
More salary data for Wildwood, 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 $72,980 for police officersin the Wildwood 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, 2-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