Police Officer Salary in Union, NJ: $91,342 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Union, NJ earns a median $91,342/year (≈ $43.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Union's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $79,290 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union, NJ, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is anticipated to be $91,342, which reflects a competitive pay scale when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for police officers in Union spans from $56,131 at the P10 level to $134,887 at the P90 level, indicating considerable variation based on experience, special assignments, and other compensation factors. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, taking into account the cost of living index of 115.2, which is significantly above the national average. This suggests that officers in Union not only benefit from a healthy salary but must also navigate a higher-than-average cost of living, making job stability and earnings potential particularly important in this market.
About the Union Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,131 | $26.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,342 | $43.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,528 | $55.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,887 | $64.85 |
Median Salary Position
16.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union
In Union, NJ, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,756 (2026 est.). At $91,342, the local median is 16.3% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union Police Officer Pay Compares
Union median: $91,342/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $90,438 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +16.30% more |
Police Officers in Union, NJ earn a median of $91,342 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.00% above the New Jersey state average of $90,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,342 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,290 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,442
2025 BLS Actual
$88,630
2026 Current Est.
$91,342
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Union (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,442 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,221 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,512 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,482 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,342 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $73,442 (2019) to $88,630 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,695 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union 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) | $56,131 – $70,050 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,050 – $91,342 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,342 – $115,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,528 – $134,887 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Union
With 15 police officers currently employed in Union, the job market remains stable despite fluctuations in compensation across different types of policing agencies. Municipal police departments like those in Union typically offer lower salaries compared to federal agencies, but the pay scales can vary greatly depending on roles and specialties. Factors such as union negotiations, including overtime rates and educational incentives, significantly drive the disparities in compensation. Officers looking to maximize their earning potential should consider pursuing specialized units, continuous education for higher pay brackets, and understanding the local pension multiplier structure, which can have a long-term impact on retirement benefits. The blend of local economic conditions and law enforcement career dynamics will ultimately shape how much police officers make in Union, NJ, influencing both current salaries and future earning trajectories.
More salary data for Union, 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 $88,630 for police officersin the Union 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 Union 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