Police Officer Salary in Laurel, MD: $81,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Laurel, MD earns a median $81,549/year (≈ $39.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $74,610 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The police officer salary in Laurel, MD, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $81,549 in 2026, reflecting a growth rate of 3.06% over the past five years. Salary ranges for officers in this area vary significantly, with earnings expected to start at $53,299 (P10) and could go up to $121,015 (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, showcase a competitive landscape for law enforcement professionals. In comparison to the national median of $78,542, Laurel's police officer pay is approximately 3.83% higher, indicating a robust local job market focused on attracting and retaining qualified officers.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,299 | $25.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,454 | $30.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,549 | $39.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,383 | $50.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,015 | $58.18 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MD, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,716 (2026 est.). At $81,549, the local median is 3.83% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Police Officer Pay Compares
Laurel median: $81,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $85,841 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +3.83% more |
Police Officers in Laurel, MD earn a median of $81,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $85,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,549 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,610 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,568
2025 BLS Actual
$79,128
2026 Current Est.
$81,549
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,568 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,049 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,084 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,048 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,986 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,045 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $65,568 (2019) to $79,128 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,045 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,477 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $53,299 – $64,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,454 – $81,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,549 – $104,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,383 – $121,015 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Laurel
Currently, only six police officers are employed in Laurel, which indicates a tight-knit community within the law enforcement sector. The area's cost of living index of 109.3 suggests that expenses are above the national average, which may impact the purchasing power of officers' salaries. In Laurel, municipal police departments are typically the primary employers, although county sheriff's offices and state police may also provide competitive pay structures. The significant spread in salaries can be attributed to multiple factors, including the agency type, overtime structures, and specialized assignments that often come with additional stipends. To maximize earning potential as an officer in Laurel, candidates should consider pursuing advanced education, which can lead to educational incentive pay, and seek positions in units like SWAT or K-9, which often offer higher compensations.
More salary data for Laurel, 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 $79,128 for police officersin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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