Police Officer Salary in Lowell, MA: $81,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lowell, MA earns a median $81,844/year (≈ $39.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lowell's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $75,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Lowell, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $81,844, which is approximately 4.20% higher than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for these positions extends from $52,605 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $126,859 at the 90th percentile (P90), indicating a diverse pay structure depending on experience and role within the police force. These figures are local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost of living in Lowell, where local economic conditions can significantly affect compensation. The decision to work for federal, state, or municipal law enforcement impacts salary levels, reflecting the potential for higher earnings in federal roles compared to municipal departments.
About the Lowell Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,605 | $25.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,396 | $30.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,844 | $39.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,760 | $50.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,859 | $60.99 |
Median Salary Position
4.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lowell
In Lowell, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,254 (2026 est.). At $81,844, the local median is 4.2% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lowell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lowell Police Officer Pay Compares
Lowell median: $81,844/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lowell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,599 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +4.20% more |
Police Officers in Lowell, MA earn a median of $81,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,599.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lowell has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lowell, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,844 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,432 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,805
2025 BLS Actual
$79,414
2026 Current Est.
$81,844
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lowell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,295 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,326 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,556 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,319 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,216 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,414 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lowell metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $65,805 (2019) to $79,414 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,543 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lowell 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) | $52,605 – $64,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,396 – $81,844 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,844 – $104,760 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,760 – $126,859 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lowell
The job market for police officers in Lowell features a stable employment landscape with 29 officers currently in service. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the area is slightly above the national average, which can influence the purchasing power of salaries earned. Among various employers, federal law enforcement agencies typically offer the most lucrative compensation, with municipal police departments following. The disparity in salaries often arises from differences in organization type, union contracts, special unit assignments, shift differentials, and educational pay incentives. Officers aiming to enhance their earnings may focus on specialized training, seek out positions within federal agencies, or pursue advanced degrees to qualify for higher pay brackets, ultimately positioning themselves to maximize their compensation in the Lowell police officer pay structure.
More salary data for Lowell, 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 $79,414 for police officersin the Lowell 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 Lowell 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