Police Officer Salary in Idaho: $78,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $78,545/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $82,419 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boise City ($84,940), Coeur d'Alene ($83,560), Boise ($64,422).
Salaries for police officers in Idaho are projected to average $78,545 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $78,542. The highest paying city in the state is Boise City, with an expected salary of $87,539, while Mountain Home is the lowest at $60,394. This $27,145 difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for law enforcement in urban versus rural areas, and local government budget allocations. Idaho requires police officers to meet specific state licensing requirements, which include completing appropriate training programs and gaining certification. The demand for officers is driven by a consistent growth rate of 3.06%, indicating a steady job market outlook for the profession across the state. The top cities projected for salary in 2026 also include Coeur d'Alene at $86,117, followed by Boise at $66,393, Nampa at $65,890, and Caldwell at $64,555. Overall, with a total employment of 1,863 police officers in Idaho, the outlook for law enforcement careers is stable, reflecting the state's commitment to community safety and security.
Idaho Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $37,771 (lowest entry-level) to $106,100 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho police officers earn 0.00% more than the national median (+$3/year difference).
Idaho Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Idaho range from $56,190 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,626 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,545. The Idaho median is $3 above the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $37.76/hr. Approximately 1,863 police officers are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,064
2025 BLS Actual
$76,213
2026 Current Est.
$78,545
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,064 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,261 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,657 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,833 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,875 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,213 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,949 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 33.6% from $57,064 (2019) to $76,213 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,949 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,885 (41.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $60,394 |
| Pocatello | $60,641 |
| Eagle | $60,994 |
| Post Falls | $61,566 |
| Lewiston | $61,596 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | $87,539 | 98.391 | $88,971 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $86,117 | 98.293 | $87,613 |
| Boise | $66,393 | 95.3 | $69,667 |
| Twin Falls | $64,052 | 92.108 | $69,540 |
| Nampa | $65,890 | 95.3 | $69,140 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $56,190 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,545 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,626 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | $87,539 |
| 2 | Coeur d'Alene | $86,117 |
| 3 | Boise | $66,393 |
| 4 | Nampa | $65,890 |
| 5 | Caldwell | $64,555 |
| 6 | Meridian | $64,291 |
| 7 | Twin Falls | $64,052 |
| 8 | Idaho Falls | $63,774 |
| 9 | Rexburg | $63,450 |
| 10 | Moscow | $62,451 |
| 11 | Kuna | $61,944 |
| 12 | Lewiston | $61,596 |
| 13 | Post Falls | $61,566 |
| 14 | Eagle | $60,994 |
| 15 | Pocatello | $60,641 |
| 16 | Mountain Home | $60,394 |
More Idaho Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Idaho in 2026?
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How does Idaho police officer pay compare to the national average?
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Which Idaho city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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