Police Officer Salary in Rochester, NY: $95,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Rochester, NY earns a median $95,763/year (≈ $46.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $98,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Rochester, New York, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $95,763, which reflects a notable 21.93% increase compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city varies widely, from a lower bound of $58,888 at the 10th percentile to a top-end figure of $104,534 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrating a robust compensation structure that often benefits from mandatory overtime associated with court appearances and special assignments. This dynamic not only enhances take-home pay but also showcases the economic vitality of roles within the Rochester police department, where the balance of overtime can significantly elevate financial prospects for officers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,888 | $28.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,886 | $32.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,763 | $46.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,144 | $47.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,534 | $50.26 |
Median Salary Position
21.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,646 (2026 est.). At $95,763, the local median is 21.93% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Rochester Police Officer Pay Compares
Rochester median: $95,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $81,989 | +16.80% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +21.93% more |
Police Officers in Rochester, NY earn a median of $95,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.93% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 16.80% above the New York state average of $81,989.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $95,763 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,350
2025 BLS Actual
$92,920
2026 Current Est.
$95,763
2019–2027 Growth
+38.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,694 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 30.2% from $71,350 (2019) to $92,920 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,694 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,344 (38.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $58,888 – $67,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,886 – $95,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,763 – $99,144 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,144 – $104,534 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Rochester
With approximately 1,800 police officers currently employed in Rochester, the local job market demonstrates a solid demand for law enforcement professionals amidst a cost-of-living index of 97.035, indicating that the area's living expenses are slightly below the national average. This can positively influence the purchasing power of officers, allowing them to optimize their salaries. In terms of pay hierarchy, municipal police departments typically offer competitive wages, yet county sheriff's offices and federal agencies, like the FBI, often provide higher compensation due to a more significant budget allocation and structured overtime policies. The disparity in salaries is driven by various factors, including the type of agency, union contracts that affect overtime pay, and educational incentives. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing assignments in special units, obtaining advanced degrees, and anticipating shift differentials can be effective strategies in enhancing overall compensation in Rochester, NY.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $92,920 for police officersin the Rochester 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