Police Officer Salary in Jackson, NJ: $89,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Jackson, NJ earns a median $89,923/year (≈ $43.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $78,058 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jackson, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $89,923, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $78,542, marking a 14.49% advantage. The salary range for officers varies significantly, starting from $52,980 at the 10th percentile to as high as $133,223 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight the appeal of working in law enforcement within this Jersey community. The structure of police departments, ranging from local municipal to state and federal entities, dictates salary differences, with federal agencies generally offering more substantial compensation packages than their state and local counterparts. The presence of union representation, such as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the New Jersey Law Enforcement Association (NLEA), contributes to ongoing negotiations that shape pay scales and benefits.
About the Jackson Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,980 | $25.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,647 | $34.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,923 | $43.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,992 | $54.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,223 | $64.05 |
Median Salary Position
14.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,243 (2026 est.). At $89,923, the local median is 14.49% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Police Officer Pay Compares
Jackson median: $89,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,466 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +14.49% more |
Police Officers in Jackson, NJ earn a median of $89,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.49% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.60% below the New Jersey state average of $90,466.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,923 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,058 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,301
2025 BLS Actual
$87,253
2026 Current Est.
$89,923
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,301 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,037 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,972 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,323 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,754 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,766 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $72,301 (2019) to $87,253 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,374 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $52,980 – $72,647 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,647 – $89,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,923 – $113,992 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,992 – $133,223 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Jackson
The local job market for police officers in Jackson is relatively tight, with only about 10 officers currently employed by law enforcement agencies in the area. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating that housing and everyday expenses are above the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power. Among various employers, municipal police departments typically provide competitive salaries, especially when factoring in overtime opportunities and benefits that come with union support. The factors driving the disparity in salaries include the type of agency, various special assignments, and shift differentials, which allow for increased earnings. Officers aiming to maximize their pay should consider pursuing specialized training or certifications that can open doors to advanced roles, such as SWAT or detective work, and take advantage of educational incentives or pension plans that offer higher multipliers for retirement benefits. Understanding these local salary dynamics will be vital for aspiring officers in Jackson, NJ, as they plan their careers in law enforcement.
More salary data for Jackson, 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 $87,253 for police officersin the Jackson 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 Jackson 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