Police Officer Salary in Ellicott City, MD: $86,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Ellicott City, MD earns a median $86,216/year (≈ $41.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Ellicott City's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $78,880 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ellicott City, the median police officer salary is projected to reach $86,216 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $78,542. This competitive compensation package, which spans from $52,606 at the lower end to $126,406 at the higher end, reflects not only the local cost of living but also the expectations placed on law enforcement personnel in this area. Given that estimates are based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, Ellicott City remains an appealing location for those considering a career in policing. The job market in this city presents viable options for current officers and recent graduates from POST training programs alike.
About the Ellicott City Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,606 | $25.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,572 | $31.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,216 | $41.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,498 | $52.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,406 | $60.77 |
Median Salary Position
9.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellicott City
In Ellicott City, MD, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,800 (2026 est.). At $86,216, the local median is 9.77% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ellicott City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ellicott City Police Officer Pay Compares
Ellicott City median: $86,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellicott City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $85,872 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +9.77% more |
Police Officers in Ellicott City, MD earn a median of $86,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.77% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.40% above the Maryland state average of $85,872.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellicott City has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellicott City, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,216 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,880 — a 8.51% reduction.
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
$69,320
2025 BLS Actual
$83,656
2026 Current Est.
$86,216
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Ellicott City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,218 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,656 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellicott City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $69,320 (2019) to $83,656 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,534 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellicott City 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) | $52,606 – $65,572 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,572 – $86,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,216 – $108,498 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,498 – $126,406 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Ellicott City
With only 15 police officers currently employed in Ellicott City, the relatively small workforce indicates a unique local job market, appealing to those who prioritize community engagement and personalized policing. The cost-of-living index sits at 109.3, suggesting that the take-home purchasing power for police officers may be impacted by local expenses. Municipal police departments generally offer solid salaries, while federal law enforcement positions present higher pay, often with additional benefits. Factors contributing to the wage distribution include union contracts, overtime opportunities, specialized assignments, and educational incentives. Officers seeking to maximize their pay can benefit from pursuing higher education, staying informed about union negotiations, and exploring opportunities in specialized units like K-9 or SWAT. With strategic career planning, potential earnings can be significantly enhanced in this evolving landscape of police officer pay in Ellicott City, MD.
More salary data for Ellicott City, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Ellicott City, MD in 2026?
Is Ellicott City, MD a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Ellicott City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Ellicott City?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Ellicott City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 $83,656 for police officersin the Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City 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