Police Officer Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $80,863 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $80,863/year (≈ $38.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $75,362 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, NH, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is set at $80,863, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $78,542, showcasing a 2.96% increase. The salary range for police officers in this area extends from $53,271 at the lower percentiles (P10) to $112,162 for those at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, underscore how essential overtime—particularly from mandatory court appearances and special details—is for overall compensation. In a job market where police officer salaries incorporate significant overtime, Portsmouth exemplifies how much do police officers make, balancing between fair pay and working conditions.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,271 | $25.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,066 | $30.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,863 | $38.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,286 | $47.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,162 | $53.92 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,891 (2026 est.). At $80,863, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Police Officer Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $80,863/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $84,232 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.96% more |
Police Officers in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $80,863 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $84,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,863 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,362 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,800
2025 BLS Actual
$78,462
2026 Current Est.
$80,863
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,462 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,863 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 40.6% from $55,800 (2019) to $78,462 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,537 (49.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $53,271 – $64,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,066 – $80,863 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,863 – $99,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,286 – $112,162 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Portsmouth
While there are currently only five police officers employed in Portsmouth, the city’s cost of living index stands at 107.3, suggesting that officers may experience a pinch in purchasing power. This reality emphasizes the importance of maximizing take-home pay, particularly through positions in municipal police departments, which tend to offer more stable salaries compared to other agencies. The pay spread can be influenced by factors such as union agreements surrounding overtime, special unit assignments, and educational incentives that boost base salaries. For those looking to enhance their earnings in Portsmouth, specializing in roles offering stipends for detectives or K-9 handlers, or pursuing advanced training, may present lucrative opportunities in the evolving landscape of police officer pay in Portsmouth NH.
More salary data for Portsmouth, 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 $78,462 for police officersin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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