Police Officer Salary in Rock Island, IL: $70,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Rock Island, IL earns a median $70,786/year (≈ $34.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Rock Island's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $72,900 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Island, Illinois, the projected annual salary for police officers in 2026 is set at $70,786, showing a considerable difference when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for local officers varies significantly, from $43,070 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $101,285 at the upper end (90th percentile). These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations. With a limited number of active police officers—five in total—this salary framework highlights the competitive dynamics at play in the local job market, particularly compared to federal counterparts who tend to command higher pay rates.
About the Rock Island Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,070 | $20.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,899 | $27.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,786 | $34.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,322 | $42.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,285 | $48.70 |
Median Salary Position
9.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Island
In Rock Island, IL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,215 (2026 est.). At $70,786, the local median is 9.87% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Island Police Officer Pay Compares
Rock Island median: $70,786/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $82,118 | -13.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -9.87% less |
Police Officers in Rock Island, IL earn a median of $70,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.87% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 13.80% below the Illinois state average of $82,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Island 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.
Rock Island, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $70,786 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,900 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$56,914
2025 BLS Actual
$68,684
2026 Current Est.
$70,786
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,914 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,068 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,293 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,142 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,684 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,952 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Island metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $56,914 (2019) to $68,684 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,038 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Island 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) | $43,070 – $57,899 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,899 – $70,786 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,786 – $88,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,322 – $101,285 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Rock Island
Examining the employment landscape in Rock Island reveals a cost-of-living index of 97.1, indicating that living expenses in the area are below the national average. This lower index might affect the purchasing power of officers' salaries. Within this municipal framework, police officers working for federal entities, such as the FBI or DEA, generally earn the most, while local departments may offer varied compensation depending on numerous factors including agency type, overtime policies, and specialized unit assignments. Strategies to maximize earnings in Rock Island include seeking additional certifications for educational bonus pay, pursuing assignments with higher stipends, and exploring potential overtime opportunities. The diverse influences shaping the pay structure make understanding these dynamics essential for officers aiming to enhance their financial standing in the community.
More salary data for Rock Island, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Rock Island, IL in 2026?
Is Rock Island, IL a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Rock Island?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Rock Island?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Rock Island?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $68,684 for police officersin the Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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