Police Officer Salary in Toms River, NJ: $89,207 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Toms River, NJ earns a median $89,207/year (≈ $42.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Toms River's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $77,437 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected figures from 2025 BLS data estimate that a police officer salary in Toms River, NJ, will reach a median annual income of $89,207 in 2026. The pay range will vary from $58,918 at the 10th percentile to $130,735 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant disparity in compensation based on experience, role, and specific agency factors. It is important to consider the implications of pension multipliers, as they have a long-term impact on total retirement compensation for officers in Toms River. With salaries above the national median of $78,542, the comparative pay landscape suggests that Toms River's job market may offer attractive opportunities for police officers when assessed against local living costs and economic conditions.
About the Toms River Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,918 | $28.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,212 | $34.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,207 | $42.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,227 | $53.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,735 | $62.86 |
Median Salary Position
13.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Toms River
In Toms River, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,817 (2026 est.). At $89,207, the local median is 13.58% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Toms River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Toms River Police Officer Pay Compares
Toms River median: $89,207/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Toms River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,473 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +13.58% more |
Police Officers in Toms River, NJ earn a median of $89,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $90,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Toms River has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Toms River, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,207 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,437 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,725
2025 BLS Actual
$86,558
2026 Current Est.
$89,207
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Toms River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,725 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,439 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,383 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,094 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,899 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,558 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,207 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Toms River metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $71,725 (2019) to $86,558 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,211 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Toms River 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) | $58,918 – $71,212 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,212 – $89,207 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,207 – $112,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,227 – $130,735 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Toms River
Currently, the job market for police officers in Toms River consists of 17 active personnel, a sign of stable employment in this area. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating that while police officer pay in Toms River is relatively competitive, the higher living expenses can affect overall take-home purchasing power. Among law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments typically provide the most stable incomes, yet those officers looking for peak salaries may find opportunities within federal entities, which generally offer higher pay rates. Variability in earnings often arises from the type of agency—federal roles usually exceed urban municipal positions, while rural agencies lag behind. Additional financial incentives such as overtime from union contracts, stipends for specialized roles, and educational pay increases can further expand earning potential, emphasized by the structure of the pension multiplier system that rewards long-term service. Strategies to maximize compensation in Toms River include seeking assignments in specialized units or pursuing additional education to trigger these financial benefits.
More salary data for Toms River, 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 $86,558 for police officersin the Toms River 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 Toms River 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