Police Officer Salary in Decatur, IL: $84,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Decatur, IL earns a median $84,303/year (≈ $40.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $95,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, police officers have a compelling salary outlook, highlighted by a projected median annual pay of $84,303 in 2026. This figure represents a competitive advantage over the national average for police officer salaries, which stands at $78,542, placing Decatur approximately 7.33% above this benchmark. The pay range for Decatur's police officers spans from $55,086 at the lower end to $111,428 at the upper tier, reflecting notable disparities that can arise in various law enforcement agency structures. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Ultimately, the salary landscape reveals a distinct dynamic for law enforcement professionals in Decatur, heavily influenced by factors such as local government funding, departmental budgets, and the specific agency range they might engage with.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,086 | $26.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,243 | $37.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,303 | $40.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,303 | $40.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,428 | $53.57 |
Median Salary Position
7.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,342 (2026 est.). At $84,303, the local median is 7.33% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be above the median
How Decatur Police Officer Pay Compares
Decatur median: $84,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $82,087 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +7.33% more |
Police Officers in Decatur, IL earn a median of $84,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.33% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.70% above the Illinois state average of $82,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $84,303 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,260
2025 BLS Actual
$81,800
2026 Current Est.
$84,303
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 14.8% from $71,260 (2019) to $81,800 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,623 (21.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $55,086 – $78,243 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,243 – $84,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,303 – $84,303 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,303 – $111,428 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Decatur
As for the local job market, approximately 200 police officers serve in Decatur, which provides a solid employment base for those pursuing careers in law enforcement. The cost of living index in Decatur is currently set at 88.422, indicating that living costs are below the national average, allowing officers to stretch their salaries further in this economically accessible environment. Within this landscape, municipal police departments tend to offer competitive pay, although federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or DEA typically provide higher salaries for specialized roles. Variations in pay are influenced by factors including union agreements, overtime regulations, and the complexities of pension multipliers, which can favor career longevity and higher earning potential. For those aiming to maximize their police officer salary in Decatur, it would be prudent to seek opportunities in specialized units, pursue additional education, or leverage experiences that are highly valued in the local labor market.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $81,800 for police officersin the Decatur 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