Police Officer Salary in Trenton, NJ: $71,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Trenton, NJ earns a median $71,276/year (≈ $34.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $69,079 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Trenton, NJ, police officers see a projected median annual pay of $71,276 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range spans from $50,458 at the 10th percentile to $115,664 at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflecting the nuances of police officer salary in Trenton. Notably, those in municipal roles tend to earn less than federal law enforcement officials, particularly in larger cities, highlighting an important consideration for aspiring officers in the region. As they assess opportunities, candidates may want to weigh job security and benefits against the base salary, keeping in mind that urban municipal departments like Trenton typically offer varying pay structures compared to their federal counterparts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,458 | $24.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,413 | $30.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,276 | $34.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,947 | $48.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,664 | $55.61 |
Median Salary Position
9.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,206 (2026 est.). At $71,276, the local median is 9.25% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Trenton Police Officer Pay Compares
Trenton median: $71,276/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,452 | -21.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -9.25% less |
Police Officers in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $71,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.25% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 21.20% below the New Jersey state average of $90,452.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,276 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,079 — a 3.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,660
2025 BLS Actual
$69,160
2026 Current Est.
$71,276
2019–2027 Growth
+2.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew -3.5% from $71,660 (2019) to $69,160 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,797 (2.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $50,458 – $62,413 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,413 – $71,276 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,276 – $100,947 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,947 – $115,664 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Trenton
Concerning job dynamics, Trenton employs around 840 police officers, positioning the city as a significant hub in New Jersey for law enforcement careers amidst a cost-of-living index of 103.18. This inflationary pressure makes the take-home purchasing power a key consideration for new hires. Among law enforcement agencies, federal positions, including those within the FBI and DEA, lead the pay scale, coupled with robust overtime opportunities. Factors influencing the spectrum of police officer pay in Trenton include the agency type, with federal roles often outperforming municipal pay, alongside details like union contracts dictating overtime, educational pay incentives, and specially assigned roles that attract extra compensation. Maximizing earnings in this market could involve seeking certification in specialized units or advancing educational credentials, as different municipalities have various incentives for higher degrees, which might offer competitive advantages for police officer pay in Trenton, NJ.
More salary data for Trenton, 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 $69,160 for police officersin the Trenton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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