Police Officer Salary in Bedford, NH: $79,374 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bedford, NH earns a median $79,374/year (≈ $38.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bedford's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $73,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bedford, New Hampshire, the projected 2026 police officer salary is $79,374, slightly above the national median of $78,542, indicating competitive compensation within the local job market. Salaries in the city span from $49,490 at the lower end to $114,991 for those at the top of their field, reflecting the variability often seen in law enforcement pay due to factors like experience, agency type, and additional responsibilities. The local estimations are based on 2025 BLS data, which account for state-level adjustments and the regional cost of living, which is notably higher than the national average, given that Bedford’s index sits at 107.3. This economic context illustrates that while Bedford officers may earn a solid salary, the daily cost of living may necessitate careful financial planning.
About the Bedford Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,490 | $23.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,951 | $31.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,374 | $38.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,309 | $48.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,991 | $55.28 |
Median Salary Position
1.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bedford
In Bedford, NH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,501 (2026 est.). At $79,374, the local median is 1.06% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bedford Police Officer Pay Compares
Bedford median: $79,374/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $84,261 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +1.06% more |
Police Officers in Bedford, NH earn a median of $79,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.06% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.80% below the New Hampshire state average of $84,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bedford has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bedford, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,374 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,974 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,819
2025 BLS Actual
$77,017
2026 Current Est.
$79,374
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,819 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,234 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,294 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,487 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,045 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,374 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,803 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bedford metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $63,819 (2019) to $77,017 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,803 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,984 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bedford 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) | $49,490 – $65,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,951 – $79,374 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,374 – $100,309 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,309 – $114,991 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bedford
When considering employment as a police officer in Bedford, NH, it's essential to note that only six officers are currently employed in the area, hinting at a limited but stable job market. The cost-of-living index suggests that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may be somewhat constrained. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally offer the best pay, followed by potential opportunities in state or federal law enforcement—these often come with higher salary ranges and robust benefits packages. Variances in compensation can be driven by several factors, including the type of agency employed, union-negotiated overtime, and special assignments such as SWAT, which can significantly enhance an officer’s earnings. Moreover, education and specific training can lead to pay incentives, suggesting that Bedford officers who pursue advanced qualifications or specialized roles could maximize their overall compensation, resulting in enhanced job satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for Bedford, NH:
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 $77,017 for police officersin the Bedford 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 Bedford 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