Police Officer Salary in South Brunswick, NJ: $88,647 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in South Brunswick, NJ earns a median $88,647/year (≈ $42.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in South Brunswick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $76,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in South Brunswick, NJ, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $88,647, which surpasses the national median by approximately 12.87%. Salaries for officers in this area span a range from $55,119 at the 10th percentile to $133,914 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on data from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projecting distinct regional considerations such as agency budgets and the cost of living in South Brunswick, where the cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating that expenditures are higher than the national average. The competitive salary structure reflects the critical role local police departments play in public safety and community engagement within this unique employment market.
About the South Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,119 | $26.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,980 | $32.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,647 | $42.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,411 | $52.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,914 | $64.38 |
Median Salary Position
12.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Brunswick
In South Brunswick, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,795 (2026 est.). At $88,647, the local median is 12.87% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Brunswick Police Officer Pay Compares
South Brunswick median: $88,647/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,456 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +12.87% more |
Police Officers in South Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $88,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.87% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $90,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Brunswick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Brunswick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,647 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,951 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,275
2025 BLS Actual
$86,015
2026 Current Est.
$88,647
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in South Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,275 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,254 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,579 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,223 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,015 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,647 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,360 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Brunswick metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $71,275 (2019) to $86,015 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,360 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,085 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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) | $55,119 – $67,980 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,980 – $88,647 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,647 – $109,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,411 – $133,914 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in South Brunswick
In South Brunswick, where seven police officers are currently employed, the local job market demonstrates stability alongside the advantages of a relatively high cost of living. This economic backdrop affects take-home pay and purchasing power, particularly as officers weigh opportunities across different law enforcement agencies. Municipal departments typically offer varied pay scales, with federal positions, such as those within the FBI or DEA, often leading to significantly higher earnings. Factors influencing salary discrepancies can include agency type, available overtime through union contracts, educational incentives, and specialty assignments, such as detective roles or SWAT team involvement. For officers looking to maximize their earnings in South Brunswick, pursuing advanced training or engaging in special units can substantially enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for South Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can police officers make $100K in South 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 $86,015 for police officersin the South 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 South 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