Police Officer Salary in Duluth, MN: $78,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Duluth, MN earns a median $78,552/year (≈ $37.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $88,491 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 projected median salary of $78,552, the police officer salary in Duluth shows a competitive edge when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers spans from $60,084 at the 10th percentile to $105,884 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant variation based on factors such as tenure, specialized assignments, and agency type. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they highlight the impact of the pension multiplier formula on long-term financial planning for Duluth officers. Engaging in special assignments or obtaining advanced certifications can further enhance an officer's financial trajectory, positioning them well for retirement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,084 | $28.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,359 | $33.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,552 | $37.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,372 | $45.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,884 | $50.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,800 (2026 est.). At $78,552, the local median is 0.01% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Police Officer Pay Compares
Duluth median: $78,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,587 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +0.01% more |
Police Officers in Duluth, MN earn a median of $78,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.01% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $79,587.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $78,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,491 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,100
2025 BLS Actual
$76,220
2026 Current Est.
$78,552
2019–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 17.1% from $65,100 (2019) to $76,220 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,856 (24.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $60,084 – $70,359 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,359 – $78,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,552 – $95,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,372 – $105,884 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Duluth
In Duluth, the local job market includes approximately 510 police officers, providing a robust environment for law enforcement careers. The cost of living index stands at 88.768, meaning that salaries can go further compared to higher-cost areas, effectively improving officers' purchasing power. Municipal departments typically offer competitive pay, but county sheriff's offices and specialized federal agencies like the FBI may provide the highest salaries available. Variations in police officer pay in Duluth highlighted by factors such as union negotiations, overtime opportunities, and educational incentives can impact overall earnings. Officers can maximize their income by pursuing advanced training, engaging in overtime assignments, and seeking positions within federal agencies, which generally offer higher compensation than municipal or state police roles. Understanding the dynamics of police officer pay in Duluth MN is essential for those looking to enhance their financial future in this field.
More salary data for Duluth, 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 $76,220 for police officersin the Duluth 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
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