Police Officer Salary in St. Clair Shores, MI: $74,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in St. Clair Shores, MI earns a median $74,563/year (≈ $35.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in St. Clair Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $80,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Clair Shores, police officer salaries are projected to average $74,563 annually in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay scale in the local law enforcement landscape. Officers can expect to see a salary range starting at $47,748 for entry-level positions and reaching as high as $115,239 for those at the top of their game. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicating that while local salaries may be on the lower end compared to the national median of $78,542, they are sustained by opportunities for overtime, particularly related to court appearances and special details. This dynamic underscores how overtime can effectively enhance overall compensation in this suburban market.
About the St. Clair Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,748 | $22.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,628 | $28.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,563 | $35.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,441 | $45.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,239 | $55.41 |
Median Salary Position
5.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Clair Shores
In St. Clair Shores, MI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,491 (2026 est.). At $74,563, the local median is 5.07% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Clair Shores: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Clair Shores Police Officer Pay Compares
St. Clair Shores median: $74,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Clair Shores Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $75,013 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.07% less |
Police Officers in St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $74,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $75,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Clair Shores 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.
St. Clair Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,563 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,003 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,951
2025 BLS Actual
$72,349
2026 Current Est.
$74,563
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in St. Clair Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,951 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,337 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,618 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,349 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,845 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Clair Shores metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,951 (2019) to $72,349 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,845 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,894 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Clair Shores 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) | $47,748 – $58,628 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,628 – $74,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,563 – $95,441 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,441 – $115,239 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in St. Clair Shores
In the competitive job market for police officers in St. Clair Shores, a relatively small force of 13 employs individuals in this profession, underscoring the tight-knit community dynamics at play. With a cost of living index of 93.2, officers' salaries stretch further, enhancing their purchasing power. Municipal police departments are typically the primary employers, providing a stable income base compared to alternatives such as federal law enforcement, which often offers higher pay. The disparity in earnings can primarily be attributed to agency type, which heavily influences compensation structures, along with factors such as shift differentials and overtime policies. To maximize their pay, officers should consider pursuing educational incentives, taking on specialized unit roles, and negotiating union contracts that include stipulations for premium pay on certain holidays or shifts, ultimately setting them on a path for more favorable financial outcomes throughout their careers.
More salary data for St. Clair Shores, 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 $72,349 for police officersin the St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores 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