Police Officer Salary in College Park, MD: $83,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in College Park, MD earns a median $83,801/year (≈ $40.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in College Park's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $76,671 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In College Park, Maryland, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $83,801, placing it 6.70% higher than the national median of $78,542 for the same year. The salary range for law enforcement professionals in the area can vary significantly, from $51,242 at the 10th percentile to $125,995 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional living costs, which are evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 109.3, indicating that officers may find their take-home pay more constrained than their counterparts in lower-cost areas. The higher demand for overtime work, particularly for court appearances and special details, can enhance overall pay and make the job competitive despite the local economic factors.
About the College Park Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,242 | $24.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,889 | $30.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,801 | $40.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,266 | $51.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,995 | $60.58 |
Median Salary Position
6.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Park
In College Park, MD, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,753 (2026 est.). At $83,801, the local median is 6.7% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in College Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Park Police Officer Pay Compares
College Park median: $83,801/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $85,862 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +6.70% more |
Police Officers in College Park, MD earn a median of $83,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.70% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.40% below the Maryland state average of $85,862.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Park has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Park, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,801 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,671 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,379
2025 BLS Actual
$81,313
2026 Current Est.
$83,801
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in College Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,379 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,929 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,936 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,195 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,313 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,365 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Park metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $67,379 (2019) to $81,313 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,365 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,986 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Park 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) | $51,242 – $63,889 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,889 – $83,801 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,801 – $107,266 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,266 – $125,995 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in College Park
With only six police officers currently employed in College Park, the local job market reveals both limitations and potential for advancement. The elevated cost of living adds another layer of complexity to police officer pay in College Park, which can impact purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, although county sheriff's offices and certain federal agencies may provide greater compensation avenues, especially for officers seeking to transition into roles with higher earning potential post-retirement. Factors driving the disparity in pay include agency type and benefits structure, particularly overtime opportunities, special unit assignments, and educational incentives, which can contribute significantly to take-home pay. To maximize earnings, aspiring officers might focus on pursuing positions in agencies known for robust overtime policies and benefits, as well as seeking educational advancements that can yield financial bonuses and pension multipliers that enhance long-term financial stability.
More salary data for College Park, MD:
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 $81,313 for police officersin the College Park 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 College Park 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