Police Officer Salary in St. Paul, MN: $99,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in St. Paul, MN earns a median $99,158/year (≈ $47.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $100,668 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.6% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in St. Paul, MN, reaches a median of $99,158, presenting a competitive figure relative to the national median of $78,542, offering a 26.25% premium. With a salary range spanning from $61,091 at the 10th percentile to $153,695 at the 90th percentile, the opportunities for financial growth within this profession are substantial. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the additional incentives possible through overtime for mandatory court appearances and special details, which can boost an officer's effective take-home pay. The job market for police officers in St. Paul shows promise, particularly given the relatively high compensation compared to other municipal positions across the nation.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,091 | $29.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,561 | $36.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,158 | $47.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,923 | $61.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,695 | $73.89 |
Median Salary Position
26.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,604 (2026 est.). At $99,158, the local median is 26.25% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Police Officer Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $99,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,581 | +24.60% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +26.25% more |
Police Officers in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $99,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 24.60% above the Minnesota state average of $79,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul 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.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $99,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,668 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,726
2025 BLS Actual
$96,214
2026 Current Est.
$99,158
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,569 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,252 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,192 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $79,726 (2019) to $96,214 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,466 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $61,091 – $76,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,561 – $99,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,158 – $126,923 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,923 – $153,695 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in St. Paul
A closer look at the local job market reveals that St. Paul employs around 80 police officers, with the city's cost of living index at 98.5, slightly below the national average. This figure indicates that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power maintains a realistic perspective in relation to local expenses. Among various law enforcement agencies, municipal departments generally offer lower pay compared to federal options like the FBI or DEA, which attract experienced officers with higher salaries and more robust pension plans. The salary disparity within local agencies stems from factors such as applied union contracts that incorporate overtime structures, special unit assignments (for example, SWAT or K-9 units), and educational pay incentives. Newly graduated officers should prioritize securing assignments that leverage overtime opportunities and professional development programs, optimizing their overall earning potential as they navigate their careers in law enforcement in St. Paul.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $96,214 for police officersin the St. Paul 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. Paul 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