Police Officer Salary in Pocatello, ID: $60,641 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Pocatello, ID earns a median $60,641/year (≈ $29.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Pocatello's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $68,208 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For police officers in Pocatello, ID, the 2026 projected median annual salary stands at $60,641, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range showcases a breadth of compensation, from an entry-level figure of $54,539 to a peak earning potential of $73,111, illustrating the variance driven by experience, specialization, and departmental responsibilities. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting the economic landscape for law enforcement in Pocatello. Understanding the long-term benefits of a police officer's salary is crucial, particularly the impact of pension multipliers as they plan for retirement. The current compensation landscape reflects the local job market's dynamics, making it essential for potential officers to analyze these financial factors critically.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,539 | $26.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,467 | $27.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,641 | $29.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,217 | $30.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,111 | $35.15 |
Median Salary Position
22.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pocatello
In Pocatello, ID, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,572 (2026 est.). At $60,641, the local median is 22.79% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pocatello: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pocatello Police Officer Pay Compares
Pocatello median: $60,641/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pocatello Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $64,034 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.79% less |
Police Officers in Pocatello, ID earn a median of $60,641 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.79% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.30% below the Idaho state average of $64,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pocatello has a cost of living 11.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pocatello, ID has a cost-of-living index of 88.906 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,641 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,208 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$56,280
2025 BLS Actual
$58,840
2026 Current Est.
$60,641
2019–2027 Growth
+11.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,641 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pocatello metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 4.5% from $56,280 (2019) to $58,840 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,216 (11.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pocatello 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) | $54,539 – $56,467 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,467 – $60,641 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,641 – $63,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,217 – $73,111 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Pocatello
In Pocatello, approximately 120 police officers serve the community, contributing to a local job market that registers a competitive yearly growth rate of 3.06%. Notably, the city's cost of living index is at 88.906, which is below the national average, indicating that law enforcement salaries might stretch further in daily living expenses. Among the local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive compensation compared to county sheriff’s offices and state police. The range in pay can largely be attributed to a variety of factors, including agency type, overtime structures, and special assignment incentives. For instance, union representation through entities such as the NLEA and FOP can play an influential role in negotiating these salaries. To maximize their earning potential, officers in Pocatello might consider pursuing educational incentives or seeking specialized roles within the department that offer additional stipends, ultimately enhancing their financial standing over the long term.
More salary data for Pocatello, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Pocatello, ID in 2026?
Is Pocatello, ID a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Pocatello?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Pocatello?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Pocatello?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $58,840 for police officersin the Pocatello 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