Police Officer Salary in Amherst, MA: $80,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Amherst, MA earns a median $80,876/year (≈ $38.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Amherst, Massachusetts, police officers earn a median annual salary of $80,876 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $78,542 by 2.97%. The salary range for this role spans from $49,390 at the lower end (P10) to $116,137 at the upper tier (P90), reflecting the local labor market's nuances and cost of living adjustments. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, tailored for regional factors. The robust compensation package is particularly appealing in an area where pension benefits can have significant long-term value, profoundly affecting retirement planning and cost-of-living considerations for current and prospective officers.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,286 | $31.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,876 | $38.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,137 | $55.84 |
Median Salary Position
2.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,747 (2026 est.). At $80,876, the local median is 2.97% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Police Officer Pay Compares
Amherst median: $80,876/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,611 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.97% more |
Police Officers in Amherst, MA earn a median of $80,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,611.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,876 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,540 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,027
2025 BLS Actual
$78,475
2026 Current Est.
$80,876
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,027 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,488 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,745 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,162 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,351 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $65,027 (2019) to $78,475 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,324 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $49,390 – $66,286 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,286 – $80,876 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,876 – $100,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,920 – $116,137 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Amherst
With only six police officers currently employed in the area, Amherst presents a unique job market dynamic, where officer pay may be influenced by the limited number of positions available. The local cost of living index stands at 108.5, indicating higher living costs relative to the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments, especially those in urban settings, usually offer the most competitive salaries, supplemented by incentives for specialized units such as SWAT or K-9 teams. Factors contributing to the wide salary spread include agency type and union contract terms, while the pension multiplier significantly enhances overall compensation long-term. Officers seeking to maximize their earnings may benefit from pursuing advanced training, taking on overtime assignments, and remaining engaged with their union representation to negotiate favorable contracts, ensuring they make the most of their police officer salary in Amherst.
More salary data for Amherst, 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 $78,475 for police officersin the Amherst 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 Amherst 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