Police Officer Salary in Chelsea, MA: $80,870 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Chelsea, MA earns a median $80,870/year (≈ $38.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Chelsea's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer salary in Chelsea, MA, is projected to reach a median of $80,870. This figure, which is slightly above the national median of $78,542, reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. With a salary range spanning from $51,724 at the bottom 10th percentile to $115,916 for the top 90th percentile, compensation for police officers in this area can vary significantly based on factors such as experience and position. The prevalence of overtime opportunities, especially in mandatory court appearances and special details, often supplements base pay, allowing officers to enhance their overall earnings substantially. Given Chelsea's unique challenges and the dynamics of its job market, the compensation landscape is competitive within the local region.
About the Chelsea Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,724 | $24.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,144 | $30.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,967 | $48.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,916 | $55.72 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelsea
In Chelsea, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,192 (2026 est.). At $80,870, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelsea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelsea Police Officer Pay Compares
Chelsea median: $80,870/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelsea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,605 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.96% more |
Police Officers in Chelsea, MA earn a median of $80,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelsea has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelsea, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,870 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,535 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,022
2025 BLS Actual
$78,469
2026 Current Est.
$80,870
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Chelsea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,022 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,525 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,155 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,469 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,870 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,345 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelsea metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $65,022 (2019) to $78,469 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,345 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,323 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelsea 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) | $51,724 – $63,144 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,144 – $80,870 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,870 – $100,967 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,967 – $115,916 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Chelsea
The job market for police officers in Chelsea consists of only a small cohort, with just six officers currently employed. The cost of living index, which stands at 108.5, indicates that Chelsea is slightly more expensive than the national average, influencing the real purchasing power of local police officer pay. While municipal departments traditionally provide opportunities, those seeking higher salaries may find more lucrative prospects within federal law enforcement or specialized units such as SWAT or narcotics. Factors contributing to the salary range include agency type, union contracts offering overtime, and educational incentives, such as significant increases for advanced degrees. To maximize earning potential in Chelsea, officers should actively pursue overtime assignments, consider opportunities for specialized training, and leverage union resources while keeping an eye on educational advancement to capitalize on pay raises linked to enhanced skills.
More salary data for Chelsea, 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 $78,469 for police officersin the Chelsea 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 Chelsea 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