Police Officer Salary in Illinois: $107,343 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $107,343/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,549 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($108,936), Chicago ($107,810), Elgin ($106,848).

Police Officer Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois police officer salary overview (2026)

$107,343

Avg Median Salary

$51.61

Avg Hourly Rate

26,021

Metro Employed

Cities

In Illinois, police officer salaries show a significant advantage compared to national averages. The average median salary for police officers in the state is projected to be $107,342 in 2026, which is 36.7% higher than the national median of $78,542. The highest-paying city in Illinois is Naperville, with officers earning an average salary of $112,269, while Rock Island has the lowest at $70,786. This gap of $41,483 is influenced by various factors including cost of living, local budgets, and department funding. Illinois also has specific state licensing requirements and varying local demands that shape the compensation landscape. The job market for police officers is projected to have a growth rate of 3.06% annually, which indicates a stable demand for law enforcement professionals across the state. Major cities like Chicago and Elgin follow Naperville with average salaries of $111,109 and $110,118, respectively, reflecting the concentration of resources and higher living costs in urban areas. Overall, the outlook for police officer careers in Illinois is positive, with competitive salaries relative to other states and a steady demand for services.

Illinois Police Officer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$63,871

avg across 65 cities

Median

$107,343

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$124,833

avg across 65 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $43,070 (lowest entry-level) to $174,018 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$107,343

National Median

$78,542

Illinois police officers earn 36.67% more than the national median (+$28,801/year difference).

Illinois Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)

Police Officer salaries in Illinois range from $63,871 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,833 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $107,343. The Illinois median is $28,801 above the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $51.61/hr. Approximately 26,021 police officers are employed across 65 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$86,410

2025 BLS Actual

$104,155

2026 Current Est.

$107,343

2019–2027 Growth

+28.0%

Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Illinois (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$86,410	Actual
2020	$82,993	Actual
2021	$81,631	Actual
2022	$84,645	Actual
2023	$99,611	Actual
2024	$105,142	Actual
2025	$104,155	Actual
2026(current)	$107,343	Estimated
2027	$110,627	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.5% from $86,410 (2019) to $104,155 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,627 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,217 (28.03%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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 Illinois

Naperville

23 employed · $53.97/hr

$112,269

+4.59% vs avg

Chicago

22,680 employed · $53.42/hr

$111,109

+3.51% vs avg

Elgin

16 employed · $52.94/hr

$110,118

+2.59% vs avg

Springfield

420 employed · $41.00/hr

$85,272

-20.56% vs avg

Decatur

200 employed · $40.53/hr

$84,303

-21.46% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Rock Island	$70,786	-34.06%	$34.03
Moline	$71,900	-33.02%	$34.57
Carbondale	$76,897	-28.36%	$36.97
Elmhurst	$77,663	-27.65%	$37.34
Calumet City	$77,854	-27.47%	$37.43

Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Illinois

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Naperville	$112,269	97.1	$115,622
Elgin	$110,118	97.1	$113,407
Chicago	$111,109	103.595	$107,253
Decatur	$84,303	88.422	$95,342
Springfield	$85,272	92.745	$91,942

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$63,871	$30.71	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$107,343	$51.61	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$124,833	$60.02	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 65 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Naperville	$112,269	$53.97	$66,342	$174,018	23
2	Chicago	$111,109	$53.42	$65,392	$126,898	22,680
3	Elgin	$110,118	$52.94	$70,031	$170,663	16
4	Springfield	$85,272	$41.00	$51,066	$101,390	420
5	Decatur	$84,303	$40.53	$55,086	$111,428	200
6	Orland Park	$83,244	$40.02	$52,092	$123,674	9
7	Bloomington	$82,943	$39.87	$48,995	$103,565	360
8	Bolingbrook	$82,886	$39.85	$48,526	$122,413	19
9	Palatine	$82,261	$39.54	$49,550	$123,228	16
10	Waukegan	$82,216	$39.52	$49,786	$127,435	18
11	Mount Prospect	$82,060	$39.45	$49,440	$122,310	13
12	Hoffman Estates	$81,794	$39.33	$48,849	$121,585	8
13	Evanston	$81,638	$39.25	$48,506	$126,017	16
14	Joliet	$81,569	$39.21	$51,261	$125,193	25
15	Oak Park	$81,501	$39.18	$48,205	$120,563	10
16	Danville	$81,333	$39.10	$52,084	$116,554	5
17	Kankakee	$81,253	$39.06	$50,541	$109,254	190
18	Addison	$81,161	$39.02	$51,685	$119,040	6
19	Berwyn	$81,124	$39.00	$47,380	$119,252	12
20	Aurora	$81,071	$38.98	$50,185	$123,437	44
21	Tinley Park	$81,059	$38.97	$53,391	$124,176	8
22	Northbrook	$80,975	$38.93	$51,171	$118,203	8
23	St. Charles	$80,925	$38.91	$51,139	$115,164	7
24	Champaign	$80,923	$38.91	$56,065	$111,501	430
25	Rockford	$80,912	$38.91	$62,784	$111,006	500
26	Gurnee	$80,905	$38.89	$51,095	$115,300	8
27	Arlington Heights	$80,792	$38.84	$53,122	$123,237	18
28	Wheaton	$80,688	$38.79	$52,888	$122,871	14
29	Woodridge	$80,664	$38.78	$50,453	$114,280	9
30	Urbana	$80,628	$38.76	$54,963	$119,660	6
31	Schaumburg	$80,623	$38.76	$52,661	$124,965	13
32	Buffalo Grove	$80,600	$38.75	$54,529	$121,883	7
33	Bartlett	$80,594	$38.75	$50,377	$114,244	9
34	Lake in the Hills	$80,294	$38.61	$49,607	$120,822	6
35	Collinsville	$80,282	$38.60	$49,663	$116,031	5
36	Skokie	$80,259	$38.59	$51,847	$121,114	12
37	Wheeling	$80,142	$38.53	$53,457	$120,294	6
38	Carpentersville	$80,052	$38.48	$53,335	$120,184	8
39	Oak Lawn	$79,999	$38.46	$51,024	$120,467	14
40	O'Fallon	$79,982	$38.45	$48,981	$119,744	6
41	Quincy	$79,670	$38.31	$48,275	$118,868	6
42	Algonquin	$79,670	$38.31	$47,938	$118,868	5
43	Carol Stream	$79,599	$38.27	$48,117	$118,628	10
44	Normal	$79,596	$38.27	$48,138	$119,070	8
45	Lombard	$79,549	$38.25	$48,002	$118,454	8
46	Cicero	$79,465	$38.20	$50,175	$118,620	21
47	Plainfield	$79,383	$38.16	$53,842	$117,886	11
48	Des Plaines	$79,369	$38.16	$49,961	$118,285	12
49	Oswego	$79,065	$38.01	$53,104	$116,800	7
50	Peoria	$79,016	$37.99	$50,850	$108,955	630
51	DeKalb	$79,001	$37.98	$53,290	$119,379	9
52	Park Ridge	$78,937	$37.95	$53,143	$116,366	7
53	Hanover Park	$78,905	$37.94	$53,070	$119,050	6
54	Glenview	$78,899	$37.94	$53,055	$119,028	12
55	Romeoville	$78,580	$37.78	$52,323	$115,157	7
56	Streamwood	$78,472	$37.73	$52,074	$117,374	8
57	Downers Grove	$78,326	$37.66	$51,739	$117,070	11
58	Belleville	$78,306	$37.65	$51,696	$114,039	10
59	Crystal Lake	$78,179	$37.59	$51,405	$116,572	9
60	Galesburg	$77,879	$37.44	$50,725	$115,557	4
61	Calumet City	$77,854	$37.43	$50,667	$112,522	7
62	Elmhurst	$77,663	$37.34	$50,236	$112,078	9
63	Carbondale	$76,897	$36.97	$54,019	$110,421	5
64	Moline	$71,900	$34.57	$45,312	$102,712	10
65	Rock Island	$70,786	$34.03	$43,070	$101,285	5

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore police officer hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new police officers.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Compare Cities in Illinois

Chicago, ILvsPeoria, IL Chicago, ILvsRockford, IL Chicago, ILvsChampaign, IL Chicago, ILvsSpringfield, IL Chicago, ILvsBloomington, IL Chicago, ILvsDecatur, IL

View all comparisons →

Explore More Police Officer Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do police officers make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median police officer salary in Illinois is $107,343/year across 65 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $70,786 in Rock Island to $112,269 in Naperville. This makes Illinois one of the higher-paying states, at 36.67% above the national median of $78,542. The state employs approximately 26,021 police officers.

What is the highest paying city for police officers in Illinois?

Naperville offers the highest police officer salary in Illinois at $112,269/year ($53.97/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naperville ($112,269), Chicago ($111,109), Elgin ($110,118). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for law enforcement services, and competition among employers for licensed police officers.

How does Illinois police officer pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average police officer salary of $107,343 is 36.67% above the national median of $78,542 in 2026. The state employs approximately 26,021 police officers across 65 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level police officer salary in Illinois?

Entry-level police officers (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $63,871/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $43,070 in lower-paying areas to $70,031 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many police officers are employed in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 26,021 police officers across 65 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Illinois one of the larger employers of police officers nationally. Demand continues to grow as the law enforcement field expands and the population ages.

Which Illinois city offers the best value for police officers?

When adjusted for cost of living, Naperville offers the highest purchasing power for police officers in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $115,622 (nominal: $112,269, CoL index: 97.1). This means your dollar goes 3% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MS Public SafetyData verified by Amit Patel, AS Criminal Justice

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 Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

Share:Facebook X LinkedIn Email