Police Officer Salary in Keene, NH: $80,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Keene, NH earns a median $80,743/year (≈ $38.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Keene's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $75,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officer salaries in Keene, New Hampshire, reflect a robust local compensation structure within the broader context of law enforcement pay across the nation. In 2026, the projected median salary stands at $80,743, which is slightly above the national median of $78,542, indicating a favorable position for local officers. The salary spectrum ranges from $52,719 at the lower end (P10) to $114,777 at the upper echelon (P90), illustrating the potential for significant earning variations based on experience, specialization, and agency type. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest a competitive environment for municipal law enforcement compared to federal roles and state counterparts. Given Keene's unique municipal structure, these salary dynamics are pivotal for attracting skilled professionals to maintain public safety while balancing the challenges of a transitioning labor market.
About the Keene Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,719 | $25.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,819 | $30.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,743 | $38.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,680 | $48.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,777 | $55.18 |
Median Salary Position
2.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Keene
In Keene, NH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,058 (2026 est.). At $80,743, the local median is 2.8% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Keene: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Keene Police Officer Pay Compares
Keene median: $80,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Keene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $84,283 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.80% more |
Police Officers in Keene, NH earn a median of $80,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.80% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.20% below the New Hampshire state average of $84,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Keene has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Keene, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,743 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,250 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,920
2025 BLS Actual
$78,346
2026 Current Est.
$80,743
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Keene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,377 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,634 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,306 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,906 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,346 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Keene metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $64,920 (2019) to $78,346 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,294 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Keene 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) | $52,719 – $63,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,819 – $80,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,743 – $100,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,680 – $114,777 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Keene
Looking deeper into the job market, Keene currently employs five police officers, which points to a relatively limited pool of positions available. The local cost-of-living index of 107.3 indicates that expenses are above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for officers. In the Keene area, municipal police departments generally offer the most competitive pay, while county sheriff's offices and state police tend to follow with more moderate compensation. The notable salary disparities stem from factors such as agency type, with federal law enforcement offerings typically outstripping municipal pay, and additional variables like overtime, special assignments, and education incentives enhancing overall compensation. For officers in Keene looking to maximize their income, seeking advanced training or certifications can provide leverage in negotiating salaries, especially given the increasing demands and responsibilities inherent in modern policing.
More salary data for Keene, 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 $78,346 for police officersin the Keene 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 Keene 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