Police Officer Salary in Sparks, NV: $77,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Sparks, NV earns a median $77,894/year (≈ $37.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Sparks's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $79,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Nevada state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Sparks, Nevada, police officers receive a competitive median annual salary of $77,894, slightly below the national average of $78,542. The salary spectrum ranges from $45,178 at the lower end (P10) to $120,736 for the highest earners (P90), providing a wide array of pay levels based on experience and job function. This data is derived from 2025 BLS estimates and projected to 2026, incorporating regional price adjustments. The diverse pathways for law enforcement careers typically see federal agencies offer higher compensation compared to their municipal and state counterparts, influencing the overall police officer pay in Sparks NV.
About the Sparks Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,178 | $21.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,850 | $29.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,894 | $37.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,704 | $47.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,736 | $58.04 |
Median Salary Position
0.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sparks
In Sparks, NV, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,558 (2026 est.). At $77,894, the local median is 0.83% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sparks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sparks Police Officer Pay Compares
Sparks median: $77,894/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sparks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $77,199 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -0.83% less |
Police Officers in Sparks, NV earn a median of $77,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.83% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% above the Nevada state average of $77,199.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sparks 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.
Sparks, NV has a cost-of-living index of 98.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $77,894 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,241 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,629
2025 BLS Actual
$75,581
2026 Current Est.
$77,894
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Sparks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,077 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,247 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,683 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,324 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sparks metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,629 (2019) to $75,581 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,648 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sparks 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) | $45,178 – $61,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,850 – $77,894 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,894 – $99,704 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,704 – $120,736 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Sparks
The local job market consists of 28 police officers, suggesting a relatively stable employment scenario in Sparks. With a cost of living index of 98.3, officers may find that their take-home pay offers more purchasing power compared to areas with higher indices. Among employers, municipal police departments often provide competitive salaries, yet federal agencies, like the FBI and DEA, typically lead the pay scale due to unique benefits and overtime opportunities. The variation between salaries can often be attributed to factors such as agency type, specialized units, and educational incentives, which can boost pay significantly. For officers looking to maximize their earnings in Sparks, obtaining specialized training, applying for roles in federal agencies after building a foundation in municipal departments, or seeking assignments that offer overtime pay can be effective strategies to enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Sparks, 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 $75,581 for police officersin the Sparks 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 Sparks 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