Police Officer Salary in Akron, OH: $76,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Akron, OH earns a median $76,934/year (≈ $36.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $82,397 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Akron, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $76,934, which is slightly below the national median of $78,542. Their compensation ranges from $54,993 at the 10th percentile to $90,445 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of pay within the profession. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, highlight the disparity that exists based on the type of policing agency. Municipal officers in urban areas like Akron typically earn lower salaries than their federal counterparts, while state police and rural agencies can fall in between. As a result, prospective officers should carefully consider their career paths, including whether to join local law enforcement or seek federal positions, to optimize their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,993 | $26.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,793 | $32.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,934 | $36.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,139 | $39.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,445 | $43.48 |
Median Salary Position
2.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,452 (2026 est.). At $76,934, the local median is 2.05% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be above the median
How Akron Police Officer Pay Compares
Akron median: $76,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,333 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.05% less |
Police Officers in Akron, OH earn a median of $76,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% above the Ohio state average of $74,333.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,934 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,397 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,840
2025 BLS Actual
$74,650
2026 Current Est.
$76,934
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,288 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 16.9% from $63,840 (2019) to $74,650 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,288 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,448 (24.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $54,993 – $66,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,793 – $76,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,934 – $81,139 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,139 – $90,445 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Akron
The local job market for police officers in Akron employs approximately 1,610 individuals, a figure reflective of community needs and departmental funding. Given that the cost of living index in Akron is 93.37, which is below the national average, this can enhance the take-home purchasing power for law enforcement personnel. Among various employment options, municipal police departments tend to offer competitive pay rates within the city, although officers looking at federal roles will find higher salaries and potentially more benefits. The salary range between different agencies is influenced by multiple factors, such as union contracts, overtime structures, and specialized units that may offer additional stipends. For officers aiming to maximize their compensation in Akron, pursuing overtime opportunities, educational incentives, or specialized assignments can significantly impact their yearly earnings and long-term financial security.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 $74,650 for police officersin the Akron 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