Police Officer Salary in Gallup, NM: $68,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Gallup, NM earns a median $68,934/year (≈ $33.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Gallup's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $73,023 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gallup, New Mexico, the projected median annual salary for police officers is $68,934 in 2026. This figure reflects a compensation range that extends from $47,636 at the 10th percentile to $98,198 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data with adjustments for regional price parity, indicate that police officer pay in Gallup NM is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. As potential recruits or seasoned officers evaluate their options, understanding how Gallup's compensation compares within New Mexico and against national trends is vital, especially considering the pension multiplier's long-term impact on retirement earnings.
About the Gallup Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,636 | $22.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,178 | $27.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,934 | $33.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,545 | $42.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,198 | $47.21 |
Median Salary Position
12.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gallup
In Gallup, NM, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,562 (2026 est.). At $68,934, the local median is 12.23% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gallup: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gallup Police Officer Pay Compares
Gallup median: $68,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gallup Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $74,122 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -12.23% less |
Police Officers in Gallup, NM earn a median of $68,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.23% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% below the New Mexico state average of $74,122.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gallup has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gallup, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $68,934 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,023 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,425
2025 BLS Actual
$66,887
2026 Current Est.
$68,934
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Gallup (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,425 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,522 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,706 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,438 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,416 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,887 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,043 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gallup metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $55,425 (2019) to $66,887 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,043 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,618 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gallup 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) | $47,636 – $56,178 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,178 – $68,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,934 – $87,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,545 – $98,198 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Gallup
In analyzing the local job market, Gallup employs four police officers, which may suggest a stable yet competitive environment for law enforcement roles. The cost of living index stands at 94.4, indicating that living expenses in Gallup are below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of salaries earned. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally offer competitive pay, although federal law enforcement agencies typically provide the most lucrative compensation packages. The disparity in salaries often relates to agency type, with federal positions offering the highest pay, followed by urban municipal roles, state police, and rural departments. Factors such as union contracts, overtime structures, and various stipends drive compensation variability. For officers in Gallup aspiring to maximize their pay, focusing on overtime opportunities, pursuing special assignments, and exploring educational incentives could lead to increased earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Gallup, NM:
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 $66,887 for police officersin the Gallup 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 Gallup 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