Police Officer Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $79,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $79,369/year (≈ $38.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $81,739 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, Illinois, the projected median salary for police officers in 2026 is $79,369, reflecting a competitive edge over the national average of $78,542. The local salary range spans from $49,961 at the 10th percentile to $118,285 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation structure based on experience, role, and departmental assignment. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations specific to Des Plaines. With 12 police officers currently employed in the area, the job market is poised for growth, providing ample opportunities for those ready to enter a field that balances public service with adequate compensation.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,961 | $24.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,778 | $28.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,369 | $38.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,032 | $48.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,285 | $56.87 |
Median Salary Position
1.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,324 (2026 est.). At $79,369, the local median is 1.05% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Police Officer Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $79,369/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $82,077 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +1.05% more |
Police Officers in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $79,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.05% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $82,077.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $79,369 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,739 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,815
2025 BLS Actual
$77,012
2026 Current Est.
$79,369
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,482 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,975 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,012 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,797 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $63,815 (2019) to $77,012 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,797 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,982 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $49,961 – $59,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,778 – $79,369 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,369 – $101,032 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,032 – $118,285 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Des Plaines
Analyzing the local job market reveals an interesting dynamic influenced by the cost of living index of 97.1, which suggests that take-home purchasing power may be somewhat limited compared to national averages. While municipal police departments offer competitive salaries, they generally rank below those of federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or DEA, which provide benefits that include overtime compensation and attractive pension plans. The varying pay scales can be attributed to factors such as union contracts, special assignment stipends, educational incentives, and overtime opportunities. For aspiring officers in Des Plaines, focusing on additional training or securing a position in specialized units can significantly enhance earning potential. Understanding the intricacies of departmental pay structures and local market conditions is essential for maximizing police officer pay in Des Plaines, IL.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $77,012 for police officersin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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