Police Officer Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $78,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $78,555/year (≈ $37.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $79,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for police officers stands at $78,555 for 2026, slightly above the national median of $78,542. Salaries in this area range significantly, from $49,808 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $112,183 for top earners (P90). Estimated figures reflect localized BLS state-level data and account for regional price disparities. The context for police officer pay in Cottage Grove is shaped by the structural choices within law enforcement; federal agencies typically offer more competitive salaries, while municipal departments like those in Cottage Grove provide a decent wage but may lag behind state and federal counterparts. The local job market for police officers also indicates a stable environment, though opportunities may be limited given the small number of officers employed in this city.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,808 | $23.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,954 | $29.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,555 | $37.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,646 | $46.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,183 | $53.93 |
Median Salary Position
0.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,375 (2026 est.). At $78,555, the local median is 0.02% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Police Officer Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $78,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,590 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +0.02% more |
Police Officers in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $78,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.02% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $79,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove 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.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $78,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,751 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,161
2025 BLS Actual
$76,223
2026 Current Est.
$78,555
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,161 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,551 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,621 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,801 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,292 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,959 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $63,161 (2019) to $76,223 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,798 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $49,808 – $60,954 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,954 – $78,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,555 – $97,646 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,646 – $112,183 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Cottage Grove
Expanding on the local employment landscape, Cottage Grove has only eight police officers currently serving, signaling a tight-knit community in law enforcement. With a relatively low cost-of-living index of 98.5, the purchasing power for officers is somewhat optimized compared to the national average. In terms of salary distribution, salaries tend to be higher among municipal departments than state police, particularly due to various factors driving the inequity in pay. Elements such as agency type, shift differentials, and the potential for overtime play a significant role in compensation. Officers looking to enhance their earnings should consider specializing in units like detective or SWAT, which often come with added stipends and benefits. Additionally, pursuing higher education can yield favorable pay adjustments, which is advisable for anyone asking how much do police officers make in Cottage Grove.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 $76,223 for police officersin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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