Police Officer Salary in Dickinson, ND: $70,654 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Dickinson, ND earns a median $70,654/year (≈ $33.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $76,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Dickinson, North Dakota are expected to earn a median annual salary of $70,654, which is approximately 10.04% lower than the national median of $78,542. Salary levels here range from $43,623 for entry-level positions to $106,283 for highly experienced officers, reflecting a diverse compensation spectrum. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, highlight the impact of the pension multiplier formula on long-term retirement benefits. Understanding salary dynamics in Dickinson is essential for prospective officers as the local job market presents unique opportunities and challenges compared to other regions.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,623 | $20.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,010 | $25.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,654 | $33.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,089 | $41.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,283 | $51.10 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,660 (2026 est.). At $70,654, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dickinson Police Officer Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $70,654/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $72,243 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -10.04% less |
Police Officers in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $70,654 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $72,243.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $70,654 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,798 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,808
2025 BLS Actual
$68,556
2026 Current Est.
$70,654
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,808 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,183 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,021 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,654 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,816 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $56,808 (2019) to $68,556 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,816 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,008 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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) | $43,623 – $54,010 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,010 – $70,654 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,654 – $87,089 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,089 – $106,283 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Dickinson
Only four police officers are currently employed in Dickinson, emphasizing a limited, yet stable job market for law enforcement professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 92, compensation here allows officers to maintain a relatively comfortable standard of living, though it is below the national average. Typically, municipal police departments offer the highest pay in Dickinson, but opportunities for greater earnings can occur in county sheriff's offices or federal law enforcement agencies. The pay disparity among officers stems from various factors, including agency type, union contracts, and shift differentials. For those seeking to maximize their pay in this specific environment, pursuing further educational qualifications, engaging in high-demand special units like SWAT, or negotiating overtime opportunities through union representation can provide tangible benefits in the long run.
More salary data for Dickinson, 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 $68,556 for police officersin the Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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