Police Officer Salary in Bangor, ME: $73,523 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bangor, ME earns a median $73,523/year (≈ $35.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bangor's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $76,183 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, police officers in Bangor, Maine, can expect a median annual salary of $73,523, which reflects a slightly lower compensation level compared to the national median of $78,542. The projected salary range for officers in the city varies significantly, with entry-level positions (10th percentile) earning around $52,540, while experienced individuals in the upper echelon (90th percentile) can potentially make $100,916. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating how the local pay compares within the broader law enforcement landscape. Given the structural choices in police employment—whether municipal, state, or federal—those seeking a career in law enforcement in Bangor should be mindful of these distinctions, particularly as they relate to growth opportunities and pay scales.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,540 | $25.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,495 | $30.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,523 | $35.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,995 | $39.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,916 | $48.52 |
Median Salary Position
6.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bangor
In Bangor, ME, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,376 (2026 est.). At $73,523, the local median is 6.39% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bangor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bangor Police Officer Pay Compares
Bangor median: $73,523/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bangor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $78,216 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -6.39% less |
Police Officers in Bangor, ME earn a median of $73,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.00% below the Maine state average of $78,216.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bangor has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bangor, ME has a cost-of-living index of 96.508 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $73,523 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,183 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% 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
$46,650
2025 BLS Actual
$71,340
2026 Current Est.
$73,523
2019–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,523 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,773 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bangor metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 52.9% from $46,650 (2019) to $71,340 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,123 (62.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bangor 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) | $52,540 – $63,495 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,495 – $73,523 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,523 – $81,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,995 – $100,916 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bangor
With 270 police officers currently employed in Bangor, the job market remains relatively stable, though compensation reflects local economic conditions. The cost of living index in Bangor is 96.508, which highlights that the area is slightly below the national average in living expenses, meaning that the purchasing power of those salaries may differ from larger metropolitan areas. Among various employers, federal law enforcement entities typically offer higher salaries compared to the municipal police department or state agencies. Factors affecting pay disparities in Bangor include the type of agency, where federal positions often command the highest salaries, but also the variety of incentives such as overtime, special unit assignments, and educational advancements. For officers aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications, becoming active in unions like the FOP or NLEA, and seeking federal employment post-retirement can enhance long-term financial stability within this market.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Bangor, ME in 2026?
Is Bangor, ME a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Bangor?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Bangor?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Bangor?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maine
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 $71,340 for police officersin the Bangor 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