Police Officer Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $79,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $79,999/year (≈ $38.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $82,388 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Lawn, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is set at $79,999, indicating a slight advantage over the national median of $78,542. The salary range reflects considerable variability, with figures stretching from $51,024 at the 10th percentile to $120,467 at the 90th percentile. Local salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the dynamic nature of this job market. In a town where mandatory overtime for court appearances and special details is common, effective salary structures are often enhanced through additional earnings driven by these requirements, making the overall compensation package more attractive for existing and aspiring officers.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,024 | $24.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,998 | $29.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,999 | $38.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,399 | $49.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,467 | $57.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,443 (2026 est.). At $79,999, the local median is 1.86% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Police Officer Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $79,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $82,135 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +1.86% more |
Police Officers in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $79,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.86% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $82,135.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $79,999 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,388 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,322
2025 BLS Actual
$77,624
2026 Current Est.
$79,999
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,322 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,756 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,809 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,011 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,621 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,624 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $64,322 (2019) to $77,624 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,125 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $51,024 – $60,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,998 – $79,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,999 – $102,399 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,399 – $120,467 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Oak Lawn
Examining the local job market reveals that Oak Lawn employs 14 police officers, which provides a unique insight into the community's law enforcement landscape. The cost of living index at 97.1 suggests a manageable economic environment for police personnel, enabling a solid take-home purchasing power relative to salary expectations. Municipal police departments typically offer the highest pay compared to other law enforcement agencies, though local officers might find additional earning potential in special units or overtime provisions. Identifying strategies to maximize income—such as pursuing education incentives, special assignments, and understanding the benefits of union representation through the NLEA or FOP—can significantly influence overall police officer pay in Oak Lawn, IL.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $77,624 for police officersin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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