Police Officer Salary in Aurora, IL: $81,071 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Aurora, IL earns a median $81,071/year (≈ $38.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $83,492 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Aurora, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $81,071, slightly above the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this role spans from $50,185 at the lowest end (10th percentile) to $123,437 at the highest (90th percentile), reflecting the diversity in compensation linked to experience, assignments, and special duties. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, suggest that Aurora's police workforce can benefit significantly from overtime opportunities tied to mandatory court appearances and special details, which are common in the law enforcement environment. The potential for additional income from these extras enhances overall pay, making Aurora's policing salaries relatively competitive within the regional employment market.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,185 | $24.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,574 | $29.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,071 | $38.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,771 | $49.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,437 | $59.34 |
Median Salary Position
3.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,252 (2026 est.). At $81,071, the local median is 3.22% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Police Officer Pay Compares
Aurora median: $81,071/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $82,139 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +3.22% more |
Police Officers in Aurora, IL earn a median of $81,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.22% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $82,139.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora 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.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $81,071 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,492 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,183
2025 BLS Actual
$78,664
2026 Current Est.
$81,071
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,183 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,908 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,607 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,552 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $65,183 (2019) to $78,664 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,552 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,369 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $50,185 – $60,574 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,574 – $81,071 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,071 – $103,771 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,771 – $123,437 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Aurora
Currently, Aurora has 44 police officers employed, which indicates a well-structured local job market in law enforcement. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power for Aurora police officers is slightly below the national average, impacting take-home pay. Municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive wages when compared to county sheriff's offices, state police, or federal roles; however, those seeking higher pay might find opportunities in specialized areas like federal law enforcement agencies, which often surpass local compensation rates. Factors contributing to salary variation include the type of agency, overtime opportunities, special unit assignments, and education incentives, which are prevalent in unionized departments. For those looking to maximize pay in Aurora, pursuing specialized training, being proactive in overtime participation, and seeking roles within high-stipend units can significantly enhance overall earnings and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Aurora, 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 $78,664 for police officersin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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