Police Officer Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $79,109 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $79,109/year (≈ $38.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.9), that paycheck buys what $80,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Atlantic City, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $79,109, which slightly surpasses the national median of $78,542. This salary range for officers varies considerably, spanning from $50,479 at the lower decile to $126,774 at the upper decile. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and provide a snapshot of the competitive landscape within law enforcement. The city's pay reflects broader trends observed among municipal departments where variations are often influenced by agency type and local budget considerations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,479 | $24.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,146 | $28.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,109 | $38.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,018 | $50.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,774 | $60.95 |
Median Salary Position
0.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,295 (2026 est.). At $79,109, the local median is 0.72% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlantic City Police Officer Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $79,109/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,514 | -12.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +0.72% more |
Police Officers in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $79,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.72% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 12.60% below the New Jersey state average of $90,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 1.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 98.857 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $79,109 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,024 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.16% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$88,400
2025 BLS Actual
$76,760
2026 Current Est.
$79,109
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.8%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,109 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew -13.2% from $88,400 (2019) to $76,760 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,870 (-7.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City 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) | $50,479 – $60,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,146 – $79,109 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,109 – $106,018 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,018 – $126,774 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Atlantic City
Across Atlantic City, approximately 1,100 police officers are employed, navigating a local job market that is relatively stable. The cost of living index stands at 98.857, which means that take-home pay may stretch further than in areas with a higher index, allowing officers to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Among various employers, federal law enforcement (like the FBI and DEA) typically offers the highest compensation, but local municipal departments provide a competitive option as well. Disparities in pay stem from several factors, including the specific agency, overtime conditions, and special assignment stipends. Officers aiming to maximize their salary should consider seeking overtime opportunities, additional certifications, and specialized roles, which can significantly enhance their overall compensation and retirement benefits in Atlantic City.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Atlantic City, NJ in 2026?
Is Atlantic City, NJ a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Atlantic City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Atlantic City?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Atlantic City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $76,760 for police officersin the Atlantic City 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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