Police Officer Salary in Needham, MA: $80,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Needham, MA earns a median $80,193/year (≈ $38.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Needham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Needham, Massachusetts, see a projected median annual salary of $80,193, slightly surpassing the national median of $78,542 by 2.10%. The salary range for officers spans from $50,158 at the 10th percentile to $116,401 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust tiered system that factors in experience and responsibility levels. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differences, offer insight into how much police officers can expect to earn in this area. With an increasing annual growth rate of 3.06%, the compensation outlook for law enforcement personnel suggests a promising trend, underscoring the competitive nature of the job market in Needham.
About the Needham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,158 | $24.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,779 | $29.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,193 | $38.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,008 | $48.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,401 | $55.96 |
Median Salary Position
2.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Needham
In Needham, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,243 (2026 est.). At $80,193, the local median is 2.1% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Needham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Needham Police Officer Pay Compares
Needham median: $80,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Needham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,580 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.10% more |
Police Officers in Needham, MA earn a median of $80,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.10% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Needham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Needham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,193 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,911 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,477
2025 BLS Actual
$77,812
2026 Current Est.
$80,193
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,477 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,918 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,173 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,799 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,416 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Needham metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $64,477 (2019) to $77,812 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,170 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham 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) | $50,158 – $61,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,779 – $80,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,193 – $101,008 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,008 – $116,401 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Needham
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only six police officers are currently employed in Needham, MA, indicating a tightly knit community of law enforcement professionals. The cost of living in the area is represented by a 108.5 index, which slightly elevates the challenges officers face regarding take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive pay, while federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or DEA consistently lead in compensation packages. The difference in salaries can often be attributed to several factors including agency type, where federal positions or urban municipalities tend to offer higher wages compared to rural departments. Strategic moves such as pursuing specialized training, taking on overtime, or achieving advanced educational qualifications can significantly impact earnings. Officers looking to enhance their pay should consider targeting specialized units or applying for shifts that include premium pay, thus maximizing their total compensation in the Needham market.
More salary data for Needham, 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 $77,812 for police officersin the Needham 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 Needham 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