Police Officer Salary in Lawrence, MA: $79,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lawrence, MA earns a median $79,596/year (≈ $38.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,360 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $79,596, surpassing the national median of $78,542 by a modest 1.34%. The salary range showcases a wide disparity, with entry-level positions at $51,195 and experienced officers earning as much as $119,987. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors. The earning potential for officers is significantly influenced by available overtime opportunities, particularly regular mandatory court appearances and special assignments, which can effectively enhance take-home pay, making it essential for current and prospective officers in Lawrence to understand the financial landscape.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,195 | $24.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,509 | $30.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,596 | $38.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,883 | $48.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,987 | $57.68 |
Median Salary Position
1.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,792 (2026 est.). At $79,596, the local median is 1.34% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Police Officer Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $79,596/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,637 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +1.34% more |
Police Officers in Lawrence, MA earn a median of $79,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,596 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,360 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,998
2025 BLS Actual
$77,233
2026 Current Est.
$79,596
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,998 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,766 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,233 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $63,998 (2019) to $77,233 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,034 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $51,195 – $62,509 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,509 – $79,596 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,596 – $101,883 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,883 – $119,987 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lawrence
The job market for police officers in Lawrence is relatively small, with only 16 officers currently employed in the area, yet robust pay structures are evident. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing power of officers may be slightly impacted, demanding a careful consideration of overall compensation packages. Among potential employers within the region, municipal police departments lead in pay, followed by county sheriff's offices and state police. Variations in earnings stem from several factors, including agency type, shifts, overtime regulations, and educational incentives. Officers can maximize their earnings in Lawrence by seeking special unit assignments such as SWAT or K-9, pursuing advanced degrees for educational stipends, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities, all of which can have a substantial impact on total compensation and retirement benefits.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 $77,233 for police officersin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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