Police Officer Salary in Somerville, MA: $82,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Somerville, MA earns a median $82,731/year (≈ $39.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Somerville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $76,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for police officers in Somerville, Massachusetts, is $82,731, reflecting a competitive position relative to the national median of $78,542. The salary range is significant, starting at $51,729 for the lower ten percent and reaching as high as $122,860 for the top ten percent, illustrating the variance in pay based on experience, specialization, and assignments. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, showcase how overtime, particularly from court appearances and special details, can significantly impact overall earnings. This economic reality enhances the effective pay for officers, making Somerville's job market appealing, especially for those eyeing substantial compensation.
About the Somerville Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,729 | $24.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,859 | $30.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,731 | $39.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,050 | $50.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,860 | $59.06 |
Median Salary Position
5.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Somerville
In Somerville, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,131 (2026 est.). At $82,731, the local median is 5.33% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Somerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Somerville Police Officer Pay Compares
Somerville median: $82,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Somerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,589 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +5.33% more |
Police Officers in Somerville, MA earn a median of $82,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.33% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,589.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Somerville has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Somerville, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,731 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,250 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,518
2025 BLS Actual
$80,275
2026 Current Est.
$82,731
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Somerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,518 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,036 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,056 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,299 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,135 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,184 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,275 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Somerville metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $66,518 (2019) to $80,275 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,745 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Somerville 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) | $51,729 – $63,859 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,859 – $82,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,731 – $105,050 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,050 – $122,860 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Somerville
In Somerville, the local job market for police officers consists of 20 employed personnel, navigating a cost of living index of 108.5 that slightly exceeds the national average. This higher index influences the purchasing power of officers and highlights the need for potential recruits to consider their effective earnings beyond base salary. Among the various law enforcement entities in the area, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, although federal agencies can provide lucrative pay scales, particularly for specialized roles. Factors such as agency type, overtime rules, special unit assignments, and pension plans all contribute to the disparity between lower and higher pay within the sector. To maximize their police officer pay in Somerville, MA, new recruits should strategically seek overtime opportunities and consider roles in specialized units, which often come with additional compensation and benefits.
More salary data for Somerville, 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 $80,275 for police officersin the Somerville 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 Somerville 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