Police Officer Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $90,310 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $90,310/year (≈ $43.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $78,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Plainfield, New Jersey are projected to earn a median annual salary of $90,310, which represents a significant 14.98% increase over the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city is quite broad, spanning from $53,832 at the 10th percentile to $139,981 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities, reflecting the local economic climate. Plainfield's job market for law enforcement is competitive, particularly when considering the structural choices between federal, state, and municipal police force dynamics, which heavily influence compensation in the area.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,832 | $25.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,010 | $32.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,974 | $54.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,981 | $67.30 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,149 (2026 est.). At $90,310, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Police Officer Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $90,310/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,491 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +14.98% more |
Police Officers in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $90,310 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $90,491.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,310 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,394 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,612
2025 BLS Actual
$87,629
2026 Current Est.
$90,310
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,612 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,291 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,234 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,629 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,310 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $72,612 (2019) to $87,629 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,462 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $53,832 – $68,010 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,010 – $90,310 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,310 – $112,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,974 – $139,981 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Plainfield
The current job market in Plainfield accommodates around 10 police officers, which underscores the limited opportunities available. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the purchasing power of salaries can be impacted, meaning officers need to consider their take-home pay carefully. Among the various law enforcement agencies, those employed in federal roles tend to command the highest salaries, often due to extensive training and the added bonuses of overtime opportunities. In contrast, municipal and county roles are more prevalent in Plainfield but may offer lower compensation compared to federal positions. The differences in salary can be attributed to factors such as agency type, union contracts, shift differentials, and pension structures. For aspiring officers in the area, focusing on specialized unit assignments, continuous education, and strategic union negotiations can be effective ways to maximize potential earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $87,629 for police officersin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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