Police Officer Salary in Portland, ME: $75,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Portland, ME earns a median $75,852/year (≈ $36.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $74,468 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, ME, police officer salaries reflect a blend of base pay, extensive overtime opportunities, and potential incentives that can significantly impact overall compensation. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $75,852, slightly below the national median of $78,542, with a salary range extending from $62,918 at the lower decile to $95,176 at the upper decile. This compensation structure is influenced by mandatory court appearances and special details, where officers can enhance their earnings through overtime. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate a strong job market for police officers in the city, with a total of 860 officers currently employed.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,918 | $30.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,743 | $30.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,852 | $36.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,088 | $38.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,176 | $45.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,258 (2026 est.). At $75,852, the local median is 3.42% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Police Officer Pay Compares
Portland median: $75,852/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $78,198 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.42% less |
Police Officers in Portland, ME earn a median of $75,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.42% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.00% below the Maine state average of $78,198.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,852 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,468 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,120
2025 BLS Actual
$73,600
2026 Current Est.
$75,852
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 22.4% from $60,120 (2019) to $73,600 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,053 (30.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $62,918 – $63,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,743 – $75,852 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,852 – $80,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,088 – $95,176 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Portland
The compensation dynamics for police officer pay in Portland, ME, are shaped by factors including the cost of living index, which stands at 101.858, slightly above the national average. This index suggests that take-home purchasing power may be constrained despite the salary figures. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide competitive wages, with overtime and specialized assignments being key drivers of higher pay. The disparity in salaries can also be attributed to the agency type—federal law enforcement typically offers higher salaries compared to municipal departments, while urban areas generally pay more than rural counterparts. Effective strategies for maximizing earnings in this market include seeking shift differentials, pursuing educational incentives, and exploring special unit roles which can carry stipends. Understanding the nuances in union contracts and the pension multiplier formula can further optimize long-term financial benefits for current and future officers.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 $73,600 for police officersin the Portland 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