Police Officer Salary in Apple Valley, MN: $77,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Apple Valley, MN earns a median $77,168/year (≈ $37.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $78,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Apple Valley is projected to reach a median annual income of $77,168, slightly below the national median of $78,542. This salary range presents significant variability, spanning from $48,923 at the 10th percentile to $115,241 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional price parities and specific economic conditions in Apple Valley, MN. The ability to secure a higher salary is closely linked to factors such as the type of agency and the rank achieved within the department, as well as the robust pension multiplier formula that can greatly influence long-term earnings and retirement benefits.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,923 | $23.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,069 | $28.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,168 | $37.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,776 | $47.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,241 | $55.41 |
Median Salary Position
1.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, MN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,318 (2026 est.). At $77,168, the local median is 1.75% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apple Valley Police Officer Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $77,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,555 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.75% less |
Police Officers in Apple Valley, MN earn a median of $77,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.75% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.00% below the Minnesota state average of $79,555.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apple Valley has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apple Valley, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $77,168 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,343 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,045
2025 BLS Actual
$74,877
2026 Current Est.
$77,168
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,045 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,394 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,639 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,016 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,489 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,877 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,045 (2019) to $74,877 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,485 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apple Valley 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) | $48,923 – $60,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,069 – $77,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,168 – $98,776 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,776 – $115,241 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Apple Valley
Focusing on the local job market, Apple Valley employs around 13 police officers, an indicator of the city's modest law enforcement presence. The cost-of-living index sits at 98.5, suggesting that salaries in the area may afford officers decent purchasing power, particularly compared to higher-cost regions. Among local law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, although federal law enforcement agencies tend to provide higher compensation packages along with additional benefits. The disparity in pay can be affected by various factors, including union contracts and special assignments, which can lead to premium pay for specific roles such as detectives or SWAT team members. For those looking to maximize their pay, pursuing continued education or specialized certifications, often rewarded with additional incentives, and exploring opportunities in federal agencies post-retirement can be advantageous in navigating the Apple Valley employment market effectively.
More salary data for Apple Valley, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Apple Valley, MN in 2026?
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Can police officers make $100K in Apple Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Apple Valley?
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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 $74,877 for police officersin the Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley 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