Police Officer Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $80,792 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $80,792/year (≈ $38.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $83,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected police officer salary in Arlington Heights, IL is set at a median of $80,792, surpassing the national median of $78,542 by 2.86%. The salary range here is quite considerable, with earnings spanning from as low as $53,122 at the 10th percentile to high earners making $123,237 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, indicate that local law enforcement pay is competitive given the overall job market and structure of law enforcement compensation. This makes Arlington Heights an appealing option for those considering a career in municipal policing, especially when compared to state and federal positions which often have different structural pay dynamics and incentives.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,122 | $25.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,317 | $30.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,792 | $38.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,413 | $49.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,237 | $59.25 |
Median Salary Position
2.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,115 (2026 est.). At $80,792, the local median is 2.86% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Police Officer Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $80,792/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $82,106 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.86% more |
Police Officers in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $80,792 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.86% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $82,106.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $80,792 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,959
2025 BLS Actual
$78,393
2026 Current Est.
$80,792
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,417 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,461 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,675 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,393 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,792 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,264 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $64,959 (2019) to $78,393 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,305 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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) | $53,122 – $64,317 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,317 – $80,792 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,792 – $103,413 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,413 – $123,237 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Arlington Heights
With a relatively small number of police officers employed—just 18 in this area—the job market in Arlington Heights is unique. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, which is below the national average, suggesting that the purchasing power of a police officer's salary is somewhat enhanced in this location. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide the most competitive compensation packages, although federal positions often offer greater financial incentives due to overtime provisions and special duty stipends. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as agency type, union contract stipulations, and educational bonuses, as officers with advanced degrees may see significant pay increases. To maximize earning potential in Arlington Heights, officers are advised to pursue additional training and special assignments, as these can lead to enhanced pay scales and better retirement benefits through favorable pension formulas.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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 $78,393 for police officersin the Arlington Heights 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
Salary data for Arlington Heights is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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