Police Officer Salary in Williston, ND: $68,949 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Williston, ND earns a median $68,949/year (≈ $33.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $74,945 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Williston, ND, the estimated median salary for police officers in 2026 is $68,949, reflecting a local pay structure influenced by the operational dynamics of various law enforcement agencies. With a salary range extending from $45,564 at the 10th percentile to $100,466 at the 90th percentile, these figures reveal the breadth of compensation that can differ by employment type and experience level. The data is derived from BLS state-level projections and regional cost analyses, showing that salaries in Williston are approximately 12.21% below the national median of $78,542 for police officer positions. This disparity points to the unique economic landscape of Williston, where choices between federal, state, and municipal positions can significantly impact take-home pay.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,564 | $21.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,864 | $26.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,949 | $33.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,133 | $41.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,466 | $48.30 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,902 (2026 est.). At $68,949, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Police Officer Pay Compares
Williston median: $68,949/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $72,274 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -12.21% less |
Police Officers in Williston, ND earn a median of $68,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $72,274.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston 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.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $68,949 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,945 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,437
2025 BLS Actual
$66,902
2026 Current Est.
$68,949
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,437 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,719 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,755 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,452 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,902 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,949 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $55,437 (2019) to $66,902 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,622 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $45,564 – $54,864 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,864 – $68,949 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,949 – $87,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,133 – $100,466 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Williston
The job market for police officers in Williston remains relatively small but stable, with seven officers currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 92, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance purchasing power, although lower salaries could diminish financial flexibility. Generally, federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and DEA, tend to offer the highest pay, followed by municipal police departments. The variances in salary are often driven by agency type, available overtime, and specialized roles, including K-9 units and detectives. For those entering the field, targeting additional training and pursuing specialized assignments can provide pathways to higher compensation. Understanding the effect of education incentives and pension structures is also critical for maximizing long-term earnings potential in this tight-knit market.
More salary data for Williston, 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 $66,902 for police officersin the Williston 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 Williston 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