Police Officer Salary in Utica, NY: $62,362 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Utica, NY earns a median $62,362/year (≈ $29.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $67,289 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.9% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Utica, NY, are projected to earn a median salary of $62,362, reflecting the regional economic realities and compensatory strategies within law enforcement. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at $49,520 while experienced professionals can see earnings up to $102,473. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the significance of overtime, often mandated for court appearances and special duties, which can significantly enhance effective pay. In a competitive job market for law enforcement, where municipal departments are prevalent, understanding the compensation landscape becomes essential for both current and aspiring officers looking to make the most of their careers in Utica.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,362 | $29.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,168 | $41.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,473 | $49.27 |
Median Salary Position
20.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,953 (2026 est.). At $62,362, the local median is 20.6% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Utica Police Officer Pay Compares
Utica median: $62,362/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $81,947 | -23.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -20.60% less |
Police Officers in Utica, NY earn a median of $62,362 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.60% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 23.90% below the New York state average of $81,947.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $62,362 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,289 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,440
2025 BLS Actual
$60,510
2026 Current Est.
$62,362
2019–2027 Growth
+8.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,362 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 1.8% from $59,440 (2019) to $60,510 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,830 (8.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $49,520 – $49,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,520 – $62,362 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,362 – $86,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,168 – $102,473 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Utica
With approximately 700 police officers currently serving in Utica, the local job market demonstrates a robust demand for law enforcement professionals. However, the cost of living index sits at 92.678, which is below the national average, impacting the overall purchasing power for officers in the area. Among various local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive wages, with additional incentives often linked to veteran experience, specialized assignments, and union negotiations. Pay disparities stem from the agency type, with federal agencies generally offering the highest salaries due to their extensive responsibilities and funding. For officers seeking to maximize their pay in the Utica market, pursuing special units like SWAT or detective roles, leveraging overtime opportunities, and achieving higher educational qualifications can lead to increased earning potential. Understanding these dynamics equips officers with the tools necessary to effectively navigate their careers.
More salary data for Utica, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can police officers make $100K in Utica?
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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 $60,510 for police officersin the Utica 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