Police Officer Salary in Worcester, MA: $82,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Worcester, MA earns a median $82,664/year (≈ $39.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Worcester's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $80,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Worcester, Massachusetts, police officer salaries present a competitive outlook, with the 2026 median annual salary projected at $82,664, slightly above the national median of $78,542. The salary range is broad, spanning from $61,991 at the 10th percentile to $105,667 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying pay structures within different law enforcement agencies. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcases how Worcester's municipal police officer pay aligns well within the urban framework, providing a solid compensation package that can attract and retain talent amid a complex federal, state, and municipal policing landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,991 | $29.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,667 | $35.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,664 | $39.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,370 | $48.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,667 | $50.80 |
Median Salary Position
5.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Worcester
In Worcester, MA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,676 (2026 est.). At $82,664, the local median is 5.25% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Worcester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Worcester Police Officer Pay Compares
Worcester median: $82,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Worcester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,604 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +5.25% more |
Police Officers in Worcester, MA earn a median of $82,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Worcester has a cost of living 2.52% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Worcester, MA has a cost-of-living index of 102.523 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,664 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,630 — a 2.46% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,850
2025 BLS Actual
$80,210
2026 Current Est.
$82,664
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,194 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Worcester metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 29.7% from $61,850 (2019) to $80,210 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,194 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,344 (37.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Worcester 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) | $61,991 – $74,667 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,667 – $82,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,664 – $100,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,370 – $105,667 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Worcester
Examining the local job market, Worcester has approximately 2,000 police officers, which indicates a healthy demand for law enforcement professionals in the area. The cost of living index stands at 102.523, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, officers need to consider purchasing power when planning financially. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most attractive salaries compared to state and federal agencies. Factors driving the differences in pay include agency type, overtime structures from union contracts, special unit assignments, and educational incentives, impacting the overall compensation package significantly. To maximize earnings within this specific market, officers may pursue specialty training or higher educational credentials, such as a master’s degree, both of which often translate into increased pay and career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Worcester, 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 $80,210 for police officersin the Worcester 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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