Police Officer Salary in Las Vegas, NM: $68,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Las Vegas, NM earns a median $68,922/year (≈ $33.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Las Vegas's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $73,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For police officers in Las Vegas, NM, the 2026 projected median salary stands at $68,922, which is roughly 12.25% lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for law enforcement in the area varies significantly, spanning from $47,610 at the 10th percentile to $100,358 at the 90th percentile. Data derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors indicate that the compensation levels in Las Vegas reflect the unique economic conditions of the area. In particular, mandatory overtime and special details often come into play, providing officers with opportunities to significantly boost their earnings beyond the base salary.
About the Las Vegas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,155 | $27.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,922 | $33.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,612 | $40.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,358 | $48.25 |
Median Salary Position
12.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, NM, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,748 (2026 est.). At $68,922, the local median is 12.25% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Vegas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Vegas Police Officer Pay Compares
Las Vegas median: $68,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Vegas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $74,110 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -12.25% less |
Police Officers in Las Vegas, NM earn a median of $68,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.25% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% below the New Mexico state average of $74,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Vegas 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.
Las Vegas, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $68,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,011 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,416
2025 BLS Actual
$66,876
2026 Current Est.
$68,922
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Las Vegas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,416 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,697 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,732 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,876 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Vegas metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $55,416 (2019) to $66,876 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,615 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Vegas 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) | $47,610 – $56,155 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,155 – $68,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,922 – $83,612 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,612 – $100,358 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Las Vegas
In terms of employment conditions, only five police officers actively serve in Las Vegas, signaling a relatively small law enforcement contingent. The cost of living index for the city is 94.4, which suggests favorable affordability compared to the national average. Officers looking to maximize their compensation might want to consider various agency types. Generally, federal agencies tend to offer higher salaries, while municipal pay can fluctuate widely, with certain county sheriff's offices providing competitive compensation. Pay disparities can also stem from the presence of union contracts, overtime options, and specialized assignments that come with added stipends. Officers aiming to increase their earnings may benefit from additional training or educational incentives that can lead to higher pay rates and enhanced pension benefits down the line. Understanding these dynamics is critical for anyone assessing police officer pay in Las Vegas, NM.
More salary data for Las Vegas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Las Vegas, NM in 2026?
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Can police officers make $100K in Las Vegas?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Las Vegas?
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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 $66,876 for police officersin the Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas 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