Police Officer Salary in Albany, NY: $80,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Albany, NY earns a median $80,634/year (≈ $38.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Albany's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $80,985 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, NY, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is set at $80,634, surpassing the national median of $78,542 by 2.66%. The full salary range spans from $51,777 at the 10th percentile to $103,338 at the 90th percentile, as derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Beyond the base pay, many police officers in Albany access additional earnings through mandatory overtime linked to court appearances and special details, significantly enhancing their overall compensation packages. Given Albany's relatively competitive salary figures, law enforcement personnel considering employment here may find attractive financial prospects compared to structures in other regions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,777 | $24.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,114 | $30.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,634 | $38.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,382 | $45.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,338 | $49.69 |
Median Salary Position
2.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, NY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,561 (2026 est.). At $80,634, the local median is 2.66% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be above the median
How Albany Police Officer Pay Compares
Albany median: $80,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $81,945 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.66% more |
Police Officers in Albany, NY earn a median of $80,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.66% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.60% below the New York state average of $81,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 0.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 99.566 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $80,634 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,985 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,910
2025 BLS Actual
$78,240
2026 Current Est.
$80,634
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,102 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 15.2% from $67,910 (2019) to $78,240 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,102 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,192 (22.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $51,777 – $64,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,114 – $80,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,634 – $95,382 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,382 – $103,338 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Albany
The local job market for police officers is robust, with approximately 1,770 officers currently employed in Albany. The cost of living index, at 99.566, indicates that residents enjoy a slightly lower expense profile than the national average, positively affecting take-home pay. Among various employers in the area, municipal police departments generally offer competitive salaries, while federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and ATF tend to offer higher pay due to their funding structures. Variability in salaries can arise from factors including union contract provisions for overtime and special unit assignments, as well as educational incentives linked to higher degrees. Officers aiming to maximize their earnings in Albany should prioritize assignments in high-specialization units or actively negotiate for overtime opportunities, ensuring they make the most of their career paths in this demanding field.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 $78,240 for police officersin the Albany 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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