Police Officer Salary in Passaic, NJ: $88,562 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Passaic, NJ earns a median $88,562/year (≈ $42.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Passaic's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $76,877 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Passaic, NJ, find their earnings notably enhanced by opportunities for overtime, especially through mandatory court appearances and special details. The projected 2026 median annual salary stands at $88,562, outperforming the national median for police officers by 12.76%. Salaries here range from a lower threshold of $57,471 at the 10th percentile to $137,271 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied nature of police work and corresponding pay structures. This data, derived from state-level BLS estimates and regional cost adjustments, demonstrates how the unique economic dynamics in Passaic affect law enforcement compensation.
About the Passaic Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,471 | $27.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,932 | $33.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,562 | $42.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,359 | $54.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,271 | $66.00 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Passaic
In Passaic, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,800 (2026 est.). At $88,562, the local median is 12.76% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Passaic: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Passaic Police Officer Pay Compares
Passaic median: $88,562/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Passaic Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,461 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +12.76% more |
Police Officers in Passaic, NJ earn a median of $88,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $90,461.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Passaic has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Passaic, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,562 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,877 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,206
2025 BLS Actual
$85,932
2026 Current Est.
$88,562
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Passaic (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,206 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,901 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,852 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,183 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,932 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,562 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,272 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Passaic metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $71,206 (2019) to $85,932 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,272 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,066 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Passaic 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) | $57,471 – $69,932 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,932 – $88,562 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,562 – $113,359 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,359 – $137,271 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Passaic
In Passaic, 18 police officers currently serve, establishing a close-knit local job market. The cost of living index at 115.2 indicates that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact an officer’s purchasing power despite higher salaries. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive pay, although federal law enforcement agencies often provide the highest salaries, followed by county sheriff's offices. The salary disparity can be attributed to various factors such as agency type, overtime rules associated with union contracts, special unit assignments, and additional incentives for education and shift differentials. To maximize their earnings, officers in Passaic should consider pursuing advanced degrees, seeking specialties within the department, and actively engaging in overtime opportunities, all of which can contribute to a more robust overall compensation package.
More salary data for Passaic, 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 $85,932 for police officersin the Passaic 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 Passaic 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