Police Officer Salary in Kearny, NJ: $87,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kearny, NJ earns a median $87,531/year (≈ $42.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $75,982 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
2026 estimates project that police officer salaries in Kearny, NJ, will be competitive, with a median annual compensation of $87,531, surpassing the national median by 11.44%. The salary range for officers in this city will vary significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $59,715 and the highest 90% making approximately $129,796. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for local economic conditions. Given Kearny's localized cost of living index of 115.2, which is above the national average, these salaries reflect the city's commitment to retaining qualified law enforcement personnel. This competitive pay scale should attract skilled candidates aware of the long-term financial benefits of a police career, which can include a robust pension based on a multiplier formula that rewards longevity and service years.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,715 | $28.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,101 | $34.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,531 | $42.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,638 | $52.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,796 | $62.40 |
Median Salary Position
11.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,081 (2026 est.). At $87,531, the local median is 11.44% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny Police Officer Pay Compares
Kearny median: $87,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,518 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +11.44% more |
Police Officers in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $87,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.44% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $90,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,531 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,982 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,377
2025 BLS Actual
$84,932
2026 Current Est.
$87,531
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,377 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,041 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,004 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,319 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,552 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,872 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,932 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $70,377 (2019) to $84,932 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,832 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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) | $59,715 – $71,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,101 – $87,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,531 – $108,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,638 – $129,796 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kearny
Despite having only 11 police officers currently employed, the job market for law enforcement in Kearny remains robust. The high cost of living directly impacts the disposable income of residents, making the purchasing power of police officer pay in Kearny essential for maintaining a stable workforce. Within the city's structure, municipal police departments typically offer better compensation than rural agencies, but they still lag behind federal law enforcement opportunities, which provide substantial GS-13 scale salaries complemented by significant overtime pay. The pay variance in Kearny can also be driven by unique agreements within union contracts that influence overtime, specialty unit assignments, and education incentives. For those looking to maximize earnings, pursuing lateral transfers to federal agencies or seeking specialized training opportunities can prove beneficial. Understanding these local dynamics is crucial for a successful and financially secure law enforcement career in Kearny, NJ.
More salary data for Kearny, 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 $84,932 for police officersin the Kearny 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 Kearny 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