Police Officer Salary in Bismarck, ND: $65,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bismarck, ND earns a median $65,165/year (≈ $31.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $71,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $65,165 as of 2026. This figure represents a significant contrast to the national median of $78,542, highlighting a regional pay disparity that many officers in Bismarck may encounter. The salary range for this profession in Bismarck is quite broad, going from $58,394 at the 10th percentile to $92,414 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. The job market in Bismarck, especially for municipal and county positions, reflects foundational choices in law enforcement agency types, with federal jobs typically offering higher compensation, particularly in urban centers compared to this city’s predominantly municipal focus.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,394 | $28.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,165 | $31.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,165 | $31.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,181 | $37.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,414 | $44.43 |
Median Salary Position
17.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,020 (2026 est.). At $65,165, the local median is 17.03% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Bismarck Police Officer Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $65,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $72,245 | -9.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -17.03% less |
Police Officers in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $65,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.03% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 9.80% below the North Dakota state average of $72,245.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $65,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,591 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,690
2025 BLS Actual
$63,230
2026 Current Est.
$65,165
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,159 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 17.8% from $53,690 (2019) to $63,230 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,469 (25.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $58,394 – $65,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,165 – $65,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,165 – $78,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,181 – $92,414 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bismarck
The employment landscape for police officers in Bismarck features around 270 officers, a figure that provides a stable base for potential job seekers. With a cost-of-living index of 91.024, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for officers may differ compared to other regions. Among local employers, municipal police departments tend to provide the most competitive salaries, although county sheriff's offices and state highway patrol positions are viable alternatives as well. Factors influencing wage variation in the area include agency type, operational overtime structures, special assignments, and educational incentives. Officers looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuit of additional certifications, specialty roles, and potential shifts that offer premium pay. Understanding the local job market can empower officers to strategically navigate their career paths and enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $63,230 for police officersin the Bismarck 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