Police Officer Salary in Boston, MA: $80,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Boston, MA earns a median $80,572/year (≈ $38.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $74,420 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $80,572 for police officers in Boston in 2026, the compensation reflects a competitive position compared to national benchmarks, especially given the average police officer salary in Boston is 2.58% higher than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this profession spans from $63,640 at the 10th percentile to up to $110,522 for those at the 90th percentile. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlights the financial viability of a career in law enforcement within this city. Boston's job market, with a solid workforce of approximately 11,440 police officers, suggests a robust demand for law enforcement professionals, contributing to the city’s overall competitive pay structure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,481 | $35.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,572 | $38.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,844 | $48.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,522 | $53.14 |
Median Salary Position
2.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,882 (2026 est.). At $80,572, the local median is 2.58% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Police Officer Pay Compares
Boston median: $80,572/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,634 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.58% more |
Police Officers in Boston, MA earn a median of $80,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,634.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,572 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,420 — a 7.64% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,160
2025 BLS Actual
$78,180
2026 Current Est.
$80,572
2019–2027 Growth
+12.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,038 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 5.4% from $74,160 (2019) to $78,180 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,878 (11.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $63,640 – $74,481 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,481 – $80,572 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,572 – $101,844 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,844 – $110,522 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Boston
While the median salary offers a glimpse into police officer pay in Boston, several factors influence the overall compensation landscape. The cost of living index in the city stands at 108.266, indicating higher living expenses that can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for officers. Notably, municipal police departments tend to offer varying levels of compensation, with federal law enforcement positions typically providing the highest salaries. Factors that drive the pay disparity include agency types, overtime structures, special unit assignments, and educational incentives, all of which can add significant value to an officer’s paycheck. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, strategies such as pursuing advanced education, specializing in high-demand units like SWAT or detectives, and taking advantage of shift differentials can enhance an officer's overall income potential in Boston, MA.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $78,180 for police officersin the Boston 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, 7-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