Police Officer Salary in Lawrence, IN: $71,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lawrence, IN earns a median $71,631/year (≈ $34.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $78,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Lawrence, IN, can expect a median annual salary of $71,631, which falls below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for these positions varies significantly, with lower-paid officers earning around $47,638 and the top earners receiving up to $107,441. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variances. Overtime stemming from mandatory court appearances and special details can substantially enhance a police officer’s overall compensation, thus affecting effective earnings. The dynamics of pay in Lawrence reflect the broader challenges associated with local policing budgets, making the effective salary picture essential to understand the economic conditions officers face in the area.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,638 | $22.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,222 | $27.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,631 | $34.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,687 | $44.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,441 | $51.65 |
Median Salary Position
8.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, IN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,803 (2026 est.). At $71,631, the local median is 8.8% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Police Officer Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $71,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $74,849 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -8.80% less |
Police Officers in Lawrence, IN earn a median of $71,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.30% below the Indiana state average of $74,849.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $71,631 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,457 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% 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
$57,593
2025 BLS Actual
$69,504
2026 Current Est.
$71,631
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,925 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,001 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,154 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $57,593 (2019) to $69,504 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,230 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $47,638 – $57,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,222 – $71,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,631 – $91,687 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,687 – $107,441 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lawrence
Examining the local job market, Lawrence employs 10 police officers, which indicates a small yet stable workforce within the law enforcement sector. Furthermore, the cost of living index in Lawrence stands at 91.3, suggesting that everyday expenses may drive down the actual purchasing power of officers’ salaries compared to national averages. Among local law enforcement employers, municipal police departments generally provide the most competitive pay, but obtaining higher salaries may involve seeking positions in state police or federal agencies. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include the type of agency and the existence of union contracts that offer overtime provisions, shift differentials, and educational incentives. Officers looking to maximize their earnings should focus on obtaining specialized training or advancing into higher roles within the department, as well as remaining informed on pension multiplier options that can significantly impact long-term retirement benefits.
More salary data for Lawrence, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Lawrence, IN in 2026?
Is Lawrence, IN a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Lawrence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Lawrence?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Lawrence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $69,504 for police officersin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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