Police Officer Salary in Elizabeth, NJ: $91,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Elizabeth, NJ earns a median $91,308/year (≈ $43.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Elizabeth's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $79,260 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Elizabeth, NJ, are projected to reach a median annual amount of $91,308, reflecting a significant 16.25% increase compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city spans from $59,227 at the 10th percentile to $141,527 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and incorporate regional price adjustments, showcasing the competitive financial landscape for law enforcement in Elizabeth. The city's robust compensation structure aims to attract and retain qualified personnel, with career longevity bolstered by favorable pension plans that factor into overall retirement benefits.
About the Elizabeth Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,227 | $28.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,527 | $34.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,308 | $43.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,874 | $56.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,527 | $68.04 |
Median Salary Position
16.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabeth
In Elizabeth, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,300 (2026 est.). At $91,308, the local median is 16.25% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabeth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabeth Police Officer Pay Compares
Elizabeth median: $91,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabeth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,494 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +16.25% more |
Police Officers in Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $91,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $90,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabeth has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabeth, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,308 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,260 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,414
2025 BLS Actual
$88,597
2026 Current Est.
$91,308
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Elizabeth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,414 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,193 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,112 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,483 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,028 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,102 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabeth metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $73,414 (2019) to $88,597 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,102 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,688 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabeth 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) | $59,227 – $72,527 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,527 – $91,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,308 – $116,874 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,874 – $141,527 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Elizabeth
The local job market for police officers in Elizabeth includes approximately 25 active personnel, indicating a stable position within the law enforcement community. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, officers may experience pressures on their take-home pay, further emphasizing the importance of salary negotiations and benefits. The highest salaries are typically found within municipal police departments, as these are better funded than other agencies like state police or county sheriff's offices. Factors such as union contracts providing overtime, shift differentials, and specialized unit assignments contribute to the disparities in pay across various agencies. For officers seeking to maximize their earnings in Elizabeth, pursuing roles with educational incentives, considering specialty positions, and capitalizing on union representation can enhance both immediate income and long-term financial security, solidifying their earning potential within this regional market.
More salary data for Elizabeth, 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 $88,597 for police officersin the Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth 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