Police Officer Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $68,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $68,337/year (≈ $32.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $72,391 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Los Alamos, NM, earn a median annual salary of $68,337, which reflects the city's commitment to public safety but falls short of the national average of $78,542. The salary range for these officers spans from $45,931 at the 10th percentile to as high as $98,591 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive local midst the state's broader labor market dynamics. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price differences, which makes it essential to consider the unique economic environment of Los Alamos. Given the relatively small number of officers employed in the area, the job market remains selective, reinforcing the local value of these essential roles in maintaining community safety.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,931 | $22.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,967 | $26.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,337 | $32.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,108 | $41.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,591 | $47.40 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,660 (2026 est.). At $68,337, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Police Officer Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $68,337/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $74,118 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -12.99% less |
Police Officers in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $68,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $74,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos 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.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $68,337 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,391 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,945
2025 BLS Actual
$66,308
2026 Current Est.
$68,337
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,945 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,242 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,945 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,308 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $54,945 (2019) to $66,308 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,483 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $45,931 – $54,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,967 – $68,337 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,337 – $86,108 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,108 – $98,591 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Los Alamos
When considering the police officer pay in Los Alamos, one must also take into account the cost of living, as indicated by the area's cost-of-living index of 94.4, which is below the national average. This lower index means that officers may experience better purchasing power relative to their salaries than what appears solely from the salary figures. The highest-paid officers generally work in municipal police departments, although various factors influence salaries across the board—from union contracts to educational incentivization. To maximize earnings, aspiring officers should consider special unit assignments, which often include bonuses for SWAT or detective roles, and may also benefit from overtime structures. Each increment in educational attainment can add to base pay, making ongoing professional development a strategic choice for those within Los Alamos's competitive police labor market.
More salary data for Los Alamos, 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 $66,308 for police officersin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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