Police Officer Salary in Maryland: $77,614 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $77,614/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,010 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($84,454), Gaithersburg ($83,907), Germantown ($83,847).
For those considering a career in law enforcement in Maryland, the 2026 average median salary for police officers is projected at $77,613, which is slightly lower than the national median of $78,542, representing a difference of -1.2%. The salary range across the state varies significantly; the highest-paying city is Aspen Hill at $87,038, while the lowest, Salisbury, comes in at $60,373. This $26,665 gap is influenced by factors such as local cost of living, demand for police services, and departmental budgets. Maryland has specific licensing requirements for police officers, including rigorous training and completion of a formal academy, which can impact salary scales. The projected annual growth rate for this profession in the state is 3.06%, indicating a steady demand for officers across its 28 metro areas. Interestingly, top cities like Gaithersburg, Germantown, Ellicott City, and Waldorf all offer salaries close to Aspen Hill, ranging from $86,127 to $86,475, reflecting the need for law enforcement in rapidly growing suburbs. Those entering the field should consider both local salary variations and the overall job market strength, which suggests promising opportunities in law enforcement in Maryland.
Maryland Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $48,486 (lowest entry-level) to $130,248 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland police officers earn 1.18% less than the national median ($-928/year difference).
Maryland Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Maryland range from $61,212 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $104,954 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,614. The Maryland median is $928 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $37.32/hr. Approximately 5,863 police officers are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,413
2025 BLS Actual
$75,309
2026 Current Est.
$77,614
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,113 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,778 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,762 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,989 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,309 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,614 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 10.1% from $68,413 (2019) to $75,309 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,576 (16.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Salisbury | $60,373 |
| Hagerstown | $68,040 |
| Towson | $78,566 |
| Baltimore | $78,872 |
| Cumberland | $79,460 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $82,345 | 100.76 | $81,724 |
| Aspen Hill | $87,038 | 109.3 | $79,632 |
| Gaithersburg | $86,475 | 109.3 | $79,117 |
| Germantown | $86,413 | 109.3 | $79,060 |
| Ellicott City | $86,216 | 109.3 | $78,880 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $61,212 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,614 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $104,954 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $87,038 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $86,475 |
| 3 | Germantown | $86,413 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $86,216 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $86,127 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $85,835 |
| 7 | Bowie | $85,427 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $85,162 |
| 9 | Frederick | $83,986 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $83,968 |
| 11 | Severn | $83,965 |
| 12 | College Park | $83,801 |
| 13 | Rockville | $83,693 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $83,653 |
| 15 | Potomac | $83,255 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $82,918 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $82,918 |
| 18 | Odenton | $82,636 |
| 19 | Lexington Park | $82,345 |
| 20 | Catonsville | $81,963 |
| 21 | Laurel | $81,549 |
| 22 | Greenbelt | $81,280 |
| 23 | Columbia | $80,295 |
| 24 | Cumberland | $79,460 |
| 25 | Baltimore | $78,872 |
| 26 | Towson | $78,566 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $68,040 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $60,373 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore police officer hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Maryland?
How does Maryland police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Maryland?
How many police officers are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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