Police Officer Salary in Camden, NJ: $90,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Camden, NJ earns a median $90,117/year (≈ $43.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Camden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $78,227 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Camden, NJ, presents a compelling opportunity for law enforcement professionals, as the median salary for police officers is projected to be $90,117, significantly higher than the national average of $78,542. Salaries in the area range from $56,670 at the P10 to $137,287 at the P90 level, indicating a diverse spectrum of earning potential based on experience, rank, and specific departmental assignments. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reveal how Camden aims to compete in a tighter labor market for qualified officers. Given the city's demographic and economic challenges, addressing recruitment and retention through competitive salary structures will be crucial to maintaining an effective police presence.
About the Camden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,670 | $27.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,803 | $33.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,117 | $43.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,349 | $55.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,287 | $66.00 |
Median Salary Position
14.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camden
In Camden, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,617 (2026 est.). At $90,117, the local median is 14.74% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Camden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Camden Police Officer Pay Compares
Camden median: $90,117/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Camden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,479 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +14.74% more |
Police Officers in Camden, NJ earn a median of $90,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.74% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.40% below the New Jersey state average of $90,479.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Camden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Camden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,117 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,227 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,456
2025 BLS Actual
$87,441
2026 Current Est.
$90,117
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Camden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,456 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,199 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,132 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,485 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,932 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,758 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,874 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Camden metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $72,456 (2019) to $87,441 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,874 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,418 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camden 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) | $56,670 – $69,803 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,803 – $90,117 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,117 – $115,349 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,349 – $137,287 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Camden
The job market for police officers in Camden is relatively limited, with only 16 individuals currently employed in this role. The cost of living index in Camden is 115.2, which means that while salaries appear higher than average, the local purchasing power may be impacted by elevated living costs. Within Camden's law enforcement landscape, municipal departments usually offer salaries that vary based on rank and specialized units. Federal agencies often lead in pay, making them attractive options for those seeking advancement. Pay disparities in Camden stem from factors such as agency classification, union contract provisions, duty differentials, and educational incentives. For new recruits or those looking to advance, focusing on obtaining specialized certifications, pursuing higher education, and considering overtime opportunities can help maximize their overall compensation in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Camden, NJ:
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 $87,441 for police officersin the Camden 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 Camden 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