Police Officer Salary in Lafayette, IN: $76,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lafayette, IN earns a median $76,594/year (≈ $36.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $81,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $76,594 for police officers in Lafayette, IN, the compensation landscape reflects a solid yet competitive market for law enforcement professionals. Salary ranges span from $60,630 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $93,774 at the upper end (90th percentile), showcasing the variability in officer pay fueled largely by overtime opportunities. Many police officers can bolster their earnings through mandatory court appearances or special details, which enable them to increase their effective pay significantly. The data presented here comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 OEWS data, projected for 2026, emphasizing the growth potential within this law enforcement sector as Lafayette navigates its job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,630 | $29.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,628 | $32.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,594 | $36.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,779 | $37.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,774 | $45.09 |
Median Salary Position
2.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,144 (2026 est.). At $76,594, the local median is 2.48% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Police Officer Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $76,594/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $74,872 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.48% less |
Police Officers in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $76,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.30% above the Indiana state average of $74,872.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,594 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,220
2025 BLS Actual
$74,320
2026 Current Est.
$76,594
2019–2027 Growth
+33.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,938 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 25.5% from $59,220 (2019) to $74,320 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,938 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,718 (33.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $60,630 – $66,628 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,628 – $76,594 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,594 – $77,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,779 – $93,774 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lafayette
The local job market in Lafayette supports approximately 350 police officers, indicating a stable demand for law enforcement personnel in the area. With a cost of living index sitting at 93.43, officers in Lafayette can expect their take-home pay to extend further than in more expensive urban locales. Among the main employers of police officers, municipal departments typically offer competitive pay structures, though county sheriff's offices and state police may provide slightly higher salaries due to their additional funding and resources. The pay disparity often stems from a range of factors, including agency type, overtime agreements, special unit assignments, and educational incentives, such as pay raises for higher degrees. Officers looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing specialized training or shift differentials that reward night or holiday work, as well as explore potential post-retirement opportunities in corporate security.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
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 $74,320 for police officersin the Lafayette 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