Police Officer Salary in Dearborn Heights, MI: $74,949 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Dearborn Heights, MI earns a median $74,949/year (≈ $36.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Dearborn Heights's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $80,417 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Dearborn Heights, MI, can anticipate a median annual salary of $74,949, which reflects a slight decrease of 4.57% compared to the national median of $78,542 for the same year. The salary range will vary significantly, with entry-level officers earning around $45,118 and more experienced officers making as much as $116,171. These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. This structured pay scale demonstrates the distinction between various law enforcement roles within the state. Federal agencies typically offer more lucrative compensation packages, but the local municipal police department remains a viable option for those seeking a career with growth potential within the Dearborn Heights job market.
About the Dearborn Heights Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,118 | $21.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,543 | $27.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,949 | $36.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,860 | $45.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,171 | $55.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dearborn Heights
In Dearborn Heights, MI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,053 (2026 est.). At $74,949, the local median is 4.57% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dearborn Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dearborn Heights Police Officer Pay Compares
Dearborn Heights median: $74,949/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dearborn Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $75,024 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -4.57% less |
Police Officers in Dearborn Heights, MI earn a median of $74,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.10% below the Michigan state average of $75,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dearborn Heights has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dearborn Heights, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,949 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,417 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,261
2025 BLS Actual
$72,724
2026 Current Est.
$74,949
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Dearborn Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,261 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,542 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,781 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,327 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,724 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,949 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dearborn Heights metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,261 (2019) to $72,724 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,982 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn Heights 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) | $45,118 – $56,543 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,543 – $74,949 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,949 – $93,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,860 – $116,171 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Dearborn Heights
With only 13 police officers currently employed in Dearborn Heights, the job market for law enforcement is relatively limited, emphasizing the importance of strategic career decisions. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 93.2, which is below the national average, allowing officers to potentially stretch their salaries further. Among local employers, it's crucial to recognize that federal law enforcement positions often yield the highest earnings, followed by municipal roles. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include agency type, overtime opportunities tied to union contracts, and special assignments such as SWAT or K-9 units. Officers seeking to optimize their earnings should consider furthering their education, which may lead to additional pay incentives, particularly education incentives that many departments offer. Leveraging the right strategies can significantly influence potential take-home pay in Dearborn Heights, MI.
More salary data for Dearborn Heights, MI:
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 $72,724 for police officersin the Dearborn Heights 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 Dearborn Heights 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