Police Officer Salary in New Bedford, MA: $82,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in New Bedford, MA earns a median $82,226/year (≈ $39.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $75,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bedford, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $82,226, which is slightly above the national median of $78,542. This pay reflects a robust local economy where overtime worked from mandatory court appearances and special details can significantly enhance earnings. The entire salary range for police officers in the city spans from $53,449 at the 10th percentile to $123,183 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential depending on experience and agency type. Such estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities, providing insight into the appealing aspects of police officer pay in New Bedford, MA.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,449 | $25.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,149 | $31.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,226 | $39.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,635 | $50.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,183 | $59.22 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,734 (2026 est.). At $82,226, the local median is 4.69% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Police Officer Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $82,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,655 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +4.69% more |
Police Officers in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $82,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,226 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,784 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,030
2025 BLS Actual
$79,785
2026 Current Est.
$82,226
2019–2027 Growth
+11.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,633 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,743 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 4.9% from $76,030 (2019) to $79,785 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,743 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,713 (11.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $53,449 – $65,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,149 – $82,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,226 – $104,635 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,635 – $123,183 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in New Bedford
The local job market in New Bedford supports 24 police officers, suggesting steady demand for law enforcement personnel amid a cost-of-living index of 108.5, which indicates higher living expenses than the national average. This economic context can impact take-home pay substantially. Among different law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments typically feature competitive wages, but those in specialized federal roles like the FBI or DEA generally receive higher compensation due to the complexity of their functions. Factors influencing the salary variation include agency type, union-negotiated overtime structures, special unit assignments, and educational incentives. Officers looking to optimize their salaries should consider roles that offer substantial overtime, pursue advanced degrees for educational pay increases, and seek out specialized positions that not only provide higher pay but also contribute to long-term pension advantages in retirement.
More salary data for New Bedford, 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 $79,785 for police officersin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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