Police Officer Salary in Roswell, NM: $72,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Roswell, NM earns a median $72,734/year (≈ $34.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Roswell's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $77,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Roswell, NM, police officer salaries are notably shaped by mandatory overtime, particularly related to court appearances and special details. This contributes substantially to actual earnings, with a 2026 median annual salary projected at $72,734. The local salary range extends from $45,377 at the 10th percentile to $105,393 at the 90th percentile. Both the median and the full salary range reflect regional adjustments and are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data. When considering compensation, these figures place Roswell slightly below the national median of $78,542 by approximately 7.39%. Understanding these numbers is vital for professionals navigating their careers in law enforcement in the area.
About the Roswell Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,377 | $21.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,734 | $34.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,557 | $44.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,393 | $50.67 |
Median Salary Position
7.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roswell
In Roswell, NM, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,016 (2026 est.). At $72,734, the local median is 7.39% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roswell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roswell Police Officer Pay Compares
Roswell median: $72,734/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roswell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $74,142 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -7.39% less |
Police Officers in Roswell, NM earn a median of $72,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.39% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the New Mexico state average of $74,142.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roswell 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.
Roswell, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $72,734 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,049 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,480
2025 BLS Actual
$70,574
2026 Current Est.
$72,734
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Roswell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,693 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,832 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,935 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,959 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roswell metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $58,480 (2019) to $70,574 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,479 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roswell 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) | $45,377 – $55,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,890 – $72,734 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,734 – $91,557 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,557 – $105,393 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Roswell
With only 12 police officers currently employed in Roswell, the local job market presents a unique scenario for those pursuing a career in law enforcement. The cost of living index stands at 94.4, indicating that daily expenses are below the national average, which can enhance overall purchasing power for officers. Among the various employers, municipal police departments tend to offer competitive salaries, while federal law enforcement opportunities often come with higher pay scales, especially for specialized roles. Differences in pay largely arise from agency types, the presence of union contracts, and available overtime assignments. Officers can maximize their earnings by pursuing educational incentives or special unit deployments. Understanding these dynamics will equip individuals with knowledge to make informed career decisions in Roswell.
More salary data for Roswell, 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 $70,574 for police officersin the Roswell 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 Roswell 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