Police Officer Salary in Linden, NJ: $88,584 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Linden, NJ earns a median $88,584/year (≈ $42.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Linden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $76,896 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Linden, NJ, can anticipate a median annual salary of $88,584, which is notably higher than the national median of $78,542, reflecting a competitive edge in officer pay in Linden. The salary range for these positions spans from $54,974 at the 10th percentile to $128,017 at the 90th percentile. It's essential to consider that these figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, highlighting the economic context in which officers operate. Overtime opportunities, particularly from mandatory court appearances or special details, significantly drive effective pay, enabling officers to augment their earnings substantially.
About the Linden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,974 | $26.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,855 | $32.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,584 | $42.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,302 | $53.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,017 | $61.55 |
Median Salary Position
12.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Linden
In Linden, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,043 (2026 est.). At $88,584, the local median is 12.79% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Linden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Linden Police Officer Pay Compares
Linden median: $88,584/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Linden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,484 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +12.79% more |
Police Officers in Linden, NJ earn a median of $88,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.79% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $90,484.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Linden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Linden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,584 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,896 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,224
2025 BLS Actual
$85,954
2026 Current Est.
$88,584
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Linden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,224 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,871 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,202 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,522 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,146 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,954 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,584 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Linden metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $71,224 (2019) to $85,954 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,071 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Linden 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) | $54,974 – $67,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,855 – $88,584 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,584 – $111,302 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,302 – $128,017 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Linden
Analyzing the local job market, only seven police officers are currently employed in Linden, suggesting a relatively small workforce that may influence compensation conditions. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating that housing and day-to-day expenses are higher than the national average, which can affect the take-home purchasing power of officers. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally pay more compared to county sheriff's offices. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include the type of agency, union contract overtime structures, and educational incentives. To maximize their earning potential in Linden, officers should consider pursuing special unit assignments like SWAT or detective roles, which often come with stipends, or engaging in further education to qualify for additional pay increases.
More salary data for Linden, 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 $85,954 for police officersin the Linden 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 Linden 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