Police Officer Salary in Jersey City, NJ: $110,636 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Jersey City, NJ earns a median $110,636/year (≈ $53.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Jersey City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $96,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.3% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jersey City, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $110,636, a significant figure when compared to the national median of $78,542. This projection shows a strong local salary environment, with a full salary range extending from $64,318 at the 10th percentile to as high as $170,953 at the 90th percentile. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost conditions, reflect the competitive nature of police officer pay in an urban setting, where the ongoing demand for public safety professionals is palpable. The structure of law enforcement in Jersey City, as an urban locality, tends to favor higher compensation relative to rural areas, indicating a robust municipal investment in policing as compared to federal and state agencies operating within New Jersey.
About the Jersey City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,318 | $30.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,636 | $53.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,614 | $68.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,953 | $82.19 |
Median Salary Position
40.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jersey City
In Jersey City, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,635 (2026 est.). At $110,636, the local median is 40.86% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jersey City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jersey City Police Officer Pay Compares
Jersey City median: $110,636/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jersey City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,463 | +22.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +40.86% more |
Police Officers in Jersey City, NJ earn a median of $110,636 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.86% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 22.30% above the New Jersey state average of $90,463.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jersey City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jersey City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,636 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,038 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,954
2025 BLS Actual
$107,351
2026 Current Est.
$110,636
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Jersey City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,954 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,321 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,815 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,658 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,351 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,636 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jersey City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $88,954 (2019) to $107,351 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,067 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jersey 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) | $64,318 – $82,470 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,470 – $110,636 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,636 – $141,614 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,614 – $170,953 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Jersey City
Analyzing the job market for police officers in Jersey City, 42 officers are employed locally, indicating relative stability despite the competitive pay landscape. Given a cost-of-living index of 115.2, expenses in Jersey City can be high, directly affecting take-home pay and purchasing power. Among employers, federal law enforcement agencies generally offer the highest salaries, followed by some specialized municipal positions. The disparity in compensation often arises from factors such as the type of agency, overtime opportunities provided by union contracts, special assignments, and additional educational incentives. For officers looking to maximize their earnings in Jersey City, targeting specialized roles, seeking advanced training, and leveraging overtime opportunities can be effective strategies to enhance their police officer pay in Jersey City, NJ.
More salary data for Jersey City, 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 $107,351 for police officersin the Jersey 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
Salary data for Jersey City 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