Police Officer Salary in Minnesota: $95,210 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $95,210/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $96,660 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($97,190), St. Paul ($96,214), Bloomington ($95,468).
In 2026, the average median salary for police officers in Minnesota is projected to be $95,210, significantly surpassing the national median of $78,542 by 21.2%. This disparity reflects the state's commitment to competitive compensation in public safety. Within Minnesota, salaries can vary widely; Minneapolis offers the highest at $100,164, while Faribault has the lowest at $75,185, resulting in a salary gap of $24,979. Factors contributing to this difference include the cost of living, local government budgets, and demand for policing services in urban areas versus smaller communities. Minnesota requires police officers to meet specific licensing standards, which include rigorous training and education, impacting the overall quality of policing in the state. The job market for police officers is strong, with an annual compound growth rate of 3.06%, indicating a steady demand for law enforcement professionals. Major cities project attractive salaries, with St. Paul at $99,158, Bloomington at $98,389, Mankato at $86,230, and Maple Grove at $80,672. As the demand for police services continues to evolve, opportunities in law enforcement in Minnesota are expected to remain stable, supported by ongoing community engagement and safety initiatives.
Minnesota Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $44,996 (lowest entry-level) to $153,695 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota police officers earn 21.22% more than the national median (+$16,668/year difference).
Minnesota Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Minnesota range from $63,338 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $111,568 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $95,210. The Minnesota median is $16,668 above the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $45.78/hr. Approximately 7,442 police officers are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,456
2025 BLS Actual
$92,383
2026 Current Est.
$95,210
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,456 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,205 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,071 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,454 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,122 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,007 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,383 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,210 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,123 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 19.3% from $77,456 (2019) to $92,383 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,123 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,667 (26.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | $99,158 | 98.5 | $100,668 |
| Bloomington | $98,389 | 98.5 | $99,887 |
| Minneapolis | $100,164 | 104.822 | $95,556 |
| Mankato | $86,230 | 90.955 | $94,805 |
| St. Cloud | $79,233 | 87.632 | $90,416 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,338 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $95,210 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $111,568 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $100,164 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $99,158 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $98,389 |
| 4 | Mankato | $86,230 |
| 5 | Maple Grove | $80,672 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $80,641 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $80,565 |
| 8 | Rochester | $79,593 |
| 9 | St. Cloud | $79,233 |
| 10 | Owatonna | $79,012 |
| 11 | Brooklyn Park | $78,908 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $78,769 |
| 13 | Roseville | $78,721 |
| 14 | Chaska | $78,660 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $78,643 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $78,555 |
| 17 | Duluth | $78,552 |
| 18 | Burnsville | $78,492 |
| 19 | Lakeville | $78,202 |
| 20 | Chanhassen | $78,147 |
| 21 | Inver Grove Heights | $78,024 |
| 22 | Eagan | $78,012 |
| 23 | Brooklyn Center | $77,993 |
| 24 | Elk River | $77,980 |
| 25 | Prior Lake | $77,900 |
| 26 | Ramsey | $77,617 |
| 27 | Blaine | $77,288 |
| 28 | Apple Valley | $77,168 |
| 29 | Shakopee | $77,091 |
| 30 | Coon Rapids | $77,080 |
| 31 | Savage | $76,955 |
| 32 | Edina | $76,947 |
| 33 | Maplewood | $76,721 |
| 34 | Andover | $76,702 |
| 35 | Richfield | $76,665 |
| 36 | St. Louis Park | $76,659 |
| 37 | Moorhead | $76,548 |
| 38 | Northfield | $75,993 |
| 39 | Hastings | $75,833 |
| 40 | Fridley | $75,491 |
| 41 | Winona | $75,430 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $75,399 |
| 43 | Austin | $75,281 |
| 44 | Faribault | $75,185 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore police officer hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Minnesota?
How many police officers are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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