Police Officer Salary in Fernley, NV: $71,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Fernley, NV earns a median $71,364/year (≈ $34.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Fernley's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $72,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Nevada state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fernley, NV, the 2026 median annual salary for police officers is projected to be $71,364, reflecting a competitive compensation package relative to local economic conditions. The salary range spans from $48,616 at the 10th percentile to $103,333 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant potential for earnings growth within the law enforcement sector. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlight how police officer pay in Fernley falls approximately 9.14% below the national median of $78,542. This disparity is partly influenced by the structural choices between federal, municipal, and state law enforcement opportunities, as well as the area's economic dynamics, which ultimately shape job prospects in the local market.
About the Fernley Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,616 | $23.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,650 | $27.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,364 | $34.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,154 | $43.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,333 | $49.67 |
Median Salary Position
9.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fernley
In Fernley, NV, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,717 (2026 est.). At $71,364, the local median is 9.14% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fernley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fernley Police Officer Pay Compares
Fernley median: $71,364/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fernley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $77,234 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -9.14% less |
Police Officers in Fernley, NV earn a median of $71,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.14% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.60% below the Nevada state average of $77,234.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fernley has a cost of living 1.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fernley, NV has a cost-of-living index of 98.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $71,364 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,598 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,379
2025 BLS Actual
$69,245
2026 Current Est.
$71,364
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Fernley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,379 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,705 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,674 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,506 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,245 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,548 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fernley metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $57,379 (2019) to $69,245 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,548 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,169 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fernley 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) | $48,616 – $57,650 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,650 – $71,364 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,364 – $90,154 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,154 – $103,333 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Fernley
Despite the modest average salary, the local job market is relatively stable, with only six police officers currently employed in the region. The cost-of-living index in Fernley is 98.3, signaling that the overall economic environment may provide a more balanced purchasing power for officers compared to high-cost urban centers. Municipal police departments generally offer salaries closer to the lower end of the spectrum, while county sheriff's offices and state police may provide slightly better compensation packages. The variation between pay levels primarily results from factors like agency type, negotiated union contracts, and specialized assignments such as SWAT or detectives. To maximize compensation, pursuing advanced education or specialized training can also yield additional pay incentives and improve job security in this evolving market.
More salary data for Fernley, NV:
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 $69,245 for police officersin the Fernley 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 Fernley 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