Police Officer Salary in Branson, MO: $56,658 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Branson, MO earns a median $56,658/year (≈ $27.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Branson's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $63,234 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for police officers in Branson, Missouri, is $56,658, significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. Salary variations are notable, with entry-level positions starting around $38,861 and experienced officers earning up to $80,660 annually. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, factoring in both the local economic environment and the unique demands of law enforcement in a city that attracts millions of tourists each year. Understanding how overtime and special detail assignments affect earnings is essential in this job market, as they often significantly enhance overall pay for officers who take on additional responsibilities.
About the Branson Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,861 | $18.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,658 | $27.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,722 | $34.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,660 | $38.78 |
Median Salary Position
27.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Branson
In Branson, MO, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,799 (2026 est.). At $56,658, the local median is 27.86% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Branson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Branson Police Officer Pay Compares
Branson median: $56,658/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Branson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $60,988 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -27.86% less |
Police Officers in Branson, MO earn a median of $56,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.86% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.10% below the Missouri state average of $60,988.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Branson has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Branson, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $56,658 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,234 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,555
2025 BLS Actual
$54,976
2026 Current Est.
$56,658
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Branson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,555 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,279 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,608 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,459 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,795 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,658 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Branson metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $45,555 (2019) to $54,976 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,837 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Branson 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) | $38,861 – $46,140 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,140 – $56,658 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,658 – $70,722 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,722 – $80,660 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Branson
Looking deeper into the local job market, Branson employs only four police officers, indicating a tighter labor pool that may impact hiring strategies and salary negotiations. With a cost of living index of 89.6, officers may find their purchasing power mitigated compared to larger urban centers. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, although officers aiming for higher pay might consider opportunities in federal law enforcement, which generally provides better compensation and benefits. The disparity between salaries can stem from a multitude of factors, including agency type and overtime benefits available via union contracts, as well as incentives for specialized assignments. Officers seeking to maximize their income in Branson should capitalize on overtime opportunities, consider career advancement into higher-paying specialized roles, or explore federal positions that may offer more robust salary packages and retirement benefits.
More salary data for Branson, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can police officers make $100K in Branson?
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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 $54,976 for police officersin the Branson 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 Branson 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