Police Officer Salary in Salem, NH: $82,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Salem, NH earns a median $82,241/year (≈ $39.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $76,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Salem, New Hampshire, project a median annual compensation of $82,241, positioning it above the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in Salem spans from $50,506 at the 10th percentile to $118,327 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the pay disparity based on experience, agency type, and specific assignments within law enforcement. These figures derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted by regional price parities to reflect local economic conditions. With the rapid growth rate of 3.06% annually, Salem’s job market for law enforcement professionals presents a competitive landscape, especially when considering the structural choices between federal, state, and municipal employment.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,506 | $24.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,683 | $30.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,241 | $39.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,327 | $56.89 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,821 (2026 est.). At $82,241, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Police Officer Pay Compares
Salem median: $82,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $84,263 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +4.71% more |
Police Officers in Salem, NH earn a median of $82,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $84,263.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,241 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,646 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,124
2025 BLS Actual
$79,799
2026 Current Est.
$82,241
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,124 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,888 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,684 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,203 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,799 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,757 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $66,124 (2019) to $79,799 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,757 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,633 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $50,506 – $62,683 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,683 – $82,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,241 – $102,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,950 – $118,327 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Salem
The local job market is supported by a modest number of eight currently employed police officers, positioning it as a niche but essential segment of the workforce in Salem. The cost of living index stands at 107.3, indicating that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power is slightly reduced due to higher living expenses. In Salem, municipal police departments typically offer the most stable pay, while federal law enforcement agencies provide greater earning potential, particularly for officers who transition to post-retirement roles in federal jobs. Factors such as agency type, overtime structures, and specialized assignments can significantly influence earnings. For officers looking to maximize their pay in this environment, focusing on obtaining advanced education and pursuing overtime opportunities within the department could lead to enhanced compensation over time.
More salary data for Salem, 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 $79,799 for police officersin the Salem 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 Salem 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