Police Officer Salary in New Brunswick, NJ: $90,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in New Brunswick, NJ earns a median $90,826/year (≈ $43.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in New Brunswick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $78,842 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in New Brunswick, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $90,826, reflecting a robust increase over the national median of $78,542. The anticipated salary range spans from $55,348 at the 10th percentile to $136,159 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a significant disparity in earnings potential based on experience and specialization. These numbers are derived from 2025 BLS data projections adjusted for local cost assessments, which are relevant given the area's cost of living index of 115.2, indicating a higher-than-average expense for basic necessities. The current police officer pay in New Brunswick, along with its comparative attractiveness in the regional job market, is set against the dual pressures of rising living costs and competitive compensation structures in law enforcement.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,348 | $26.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,025 | $33.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,826 | $43.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,257 | $55.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,159 | $65.46 |
Median Salary Position
15.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,811 (2026 est.). At $90,826, the local median is 15.64% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Brunswick Police Officer Pay Compares
New Brunswick median: $90,826/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,464 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +15.64% more |
Police Officers in New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $90,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $90,464.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Brunswick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Brunswick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,826 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,842 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,026
2025 BLS Actual
$88,129
2026 Current Est.
$90,826
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,026 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,715 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,079 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,584 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Brunswick metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $73,026 (2019) to $88,129 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,579 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Brunswick 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) | $55,348 – $69,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,025 – $90,826 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,826 – $116,257 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,257 – $136,159 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in New Brunswick
Examining the local job market reveals that there are eight police officers currently employed in New Brunswick, which creates a tight community for career advancement. Higher-paying opportunities typically arise within federal law enforcement agencies, which provide significant salary boosts compared to municipal roles. The pay disparity observed within the police officer salary in New Brunswick is influenced by the agency type—federal jobs generally pay more than urban and rural municipal positions—or the potential for specialized assignments that come with additional stipends. Officers looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing educational incentives and applying for critical specialized units such as SWAT or K-9 units, which often offer extra pay. Additionally, understanding the pension multiplier’s long-term benefits plays a key role in overall compensation, with formulas favoring those who serve longer terms. In New Brunswick, strategic career planning can significantly enhance future earnings, taking full advantage of union negotiations and city contracts.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can police officers make $100K in New Brunswick?
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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 $88,129 for police officersin the New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick 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