Police Officer Salary in Clifton, NJ: $88,806 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Clifton, NJ earns a median $88,806/year (≈ $42.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $77,089 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clifton, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $88,806, which represents a notable increase compared to the national median of $78,542. Salaries in the area span a wide range, from $58,017 at the 10th percentile to $137,649 at the 90th percentile. This range indicates that while many officers earn competitive wages, there are also significant opportunities for those in specialized roles or with extensive experience. It's crucial to consider that these figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. As overtime opportunities, such as those associated with court appearances or special details, often supplement regular income, the effective pay for police officers in Clifton can be considerably higher than the median salary suggests.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,017 | $27.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,415 | $33.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,806 | $42.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,246 | $53.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,649 | $66.17 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,632 (2026 est.). At $88,806, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Police Officer Pay Compares
Clifton median: $88,806/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,526 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +13.07% more |
Police Officers in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $88,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $90,526.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,806 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,089 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,402
2025 BLS Actual
$86,169
2026 Current Est.
$88,806
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,105 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,053 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,387 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,725 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,414 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,169 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,806 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $71,402 (2019) to $86,169 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,121 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $58,017 – $70,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,415 – $88,806 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,806 – $111,246 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,246 – $137,649 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Clifton
Looking deeper into the local job market, Clifton currently employs 14 police officers, highlighting a closely-knit community of law enforcement professionals. The cost of living index for the area stands at 115.2, which is above the national average, affecting take-home purchasing power. Among different employers of law enforcement officers, municipal police departments in Clifton typically offer the most competitive salaries. Pay disparities are further influenced by factors such as agency type, with federal roles generally offering higher compensation compared to municipal or state positions. Officers can maximize their earnings through strategies like pursuing education incentives, which can provide bonuses for advanced degrees, and seeking assignments in specialized units that offer stipends. Understanding these dynamics is essential for aspiring officers looking to optimize their police officer pay in Clifton, NJ.
More salary data for Clifton, 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 $86,169 for police officersin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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