Police Officer Salary in Amherst Town, MA: $75,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Amherst Town, MA earns a median $75,728/year (≈ $36.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Amherst Town's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.2), that paycheck buys what $75,544 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amherst Town, Massachusetts, police officers earn a median annual salary of $75,728 based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. This positioning reflects a salary range that spans from $52,025 at the 10th percentile to $108,739 at the 90th percentile. With the town's law enforcement structure primarily composed of municipal officers, the pay tends to be lower than that of federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI or DEA, which offer higher compensation for their personnel. In contrast to the national median salary for police officers in 2026, which is $78,542, Amherst Town's figures represent a slight disadvantage, revealing a local market scenario that could impact recruitment and retention efforts within the police department.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,025 | $25.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,176 | $29.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,728 | $36.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,042 | $46.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,739 | $52.28 |
Median Salary Position
3.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst Town
In Amherst Town, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,714 (2026 est.). At $75,728, the local median is 3.58% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst Town: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Town Police Officer Pay Compares
Amherst Town median: $75,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Town Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,604 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.58% less |
Police Officers in Amherst Town, MA earn a median of $75,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.58% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst Town has a cost of living 0.24% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst Town, MA has a cost-of-living index of 100.243 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,728 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,544 — a 0.24% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,888
2025 BLS Actual
$73,480
2026 Current Est.
$75,728
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Amherst Town (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,888 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,296 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,433 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,691 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst Town metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,888 (2019) to $73,480 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,158 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst Town 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) | $52,025 – $61,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,176 – $75,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,728 – $96,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,042 – $108,739 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Amherst Town
The job market for police officers in Amherst Town is relatively stable, with around 430 officers currently employed. However, the cost of living index in the area sits at 100.243, slightly above the national average, which can affect the purchasing power of the police officer salary in Amherst Town. Typically, municipal departments provide the core employment opportunities, while county sheriff's offices and federal agencies can offer more lucrative pay in comparison. The variation in officer salaries can largely be attributed to factors such as agency type, union contracts, overtime structures, and the presence of special units like SWAT or K-9 teams. Those looking to maximize their earnings might consider furthering their education, to qualify for educational incentives, or pursuing assignments within specialized units, thus improving their overall compensation and enhancing their career prospects in the competitive landscape of law enforcement.
More salary data for Amherst Town, MA:
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 $73,480 for police officersin the Amherst Town 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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