Police Officer Salary in South Portland, ME: $75,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in South Portland, ME earns a median $75,528/year (≈ $36.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in South Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $75,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for police officers in South Portland, Maine, is estimated at $75,528, positioning it slightly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning approximately $51,087 and the top 90% reaching $111,996. These figures, derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the pay scale differences that can arise from the structural choices police officers face between federal, state, and municipal agencies. In South Portland, the local labor market reflects this differentiation, emphasizing the importance of understanding how these structural choices impact officer compensation.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,087 | $24.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,524 | $28.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,528 | $36.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,403 | $46.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,996 | $53.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Portland
In South Portland, ME, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,909 (2026 est.). At $75,528, the local median is 3.84% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Portland Police Officer Pay Compares
South Portland median: $75,528/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $78,267 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.84% less |
Police Officers in South Portland, ME earn a median of $75,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% below the Maine state average of $78,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Portland has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $75,528 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,831 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% 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
$60,726
2025 BLS Actual
$73,285
2026 Current Est.
$75,528
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,025 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,265 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,506 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,795 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,285 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Portland metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,726 (2019) to $73,285 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,113 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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) | $51,087 – $59,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,524 – $75,528 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,528 – $96,403 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,403 – $111,996 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in South Portland
Within the South Portland job market, there are currently four police officers employed, suggesting a relatively small workforce in this arena. The cost of living index stands at 99.6, slightly below the national average, which can influence the purchasing power and take-home pay of officers. Among the various employers, municipal police departments typically offer a consistent salary base, while federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, tend to lead in compensation. Factors that drive the wide salary spectrum include agency type, union contracts that may dictate overtime pay, special unit assignments, and educational incentives that promote advanced training. For those navigating the pay dynamics in South Portland, strategies such as pursuing continuing education, specializing in high-demand units, and understanding the intricacies of pension formulas can contribute to maximizing earnings over time.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in South Portland, ME in 2026?
Is South Portland, ME a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in South Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in South Portland?
How much does a police officer make per hour in South Portland?
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 $73,285 for police officersin the South 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
Salary data for South Portland 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