Police Officer Salary in Canton, OH: $66,309 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Canton, OH earns a median $66,309/year (≈ $31.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Canton's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $74,166 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Canton, Ohio, projects a median annual police officer salary of $66,309 for 2026, which reflects a notable contrast when set against the national median of $78,542. With salaries ranging from $52,592 at the lower tenth percentile to $80,531 at the upper ninetieth percentile, this compensation structure provides a varied landscape of earning potential within the profession. These figures stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data and indicate a healthy job market for police officers in Canton, particularly with a projected annual growth rate of 3.06%. While these numbers may not operate on the same scale as larger metropolitan areas, they still represent significant investment in public safety by local government.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,592 | $25.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,981 | $28.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,309 | $31.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,502 | $35.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,531 | $38.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Canton
In Canton, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,939 (2026 est.). At $66,309, the local median is 15.58% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Canton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Canton Police Officer Pay Compares
Canton median: $66,309/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Canton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,337 | -10.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -15.58% less |
Police Officers in Canton, OH earn a median of $66,309 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.58% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 10.80% below the Ohio state average of $74,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Canton has a cost of living 10.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Canton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.406 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $66,309 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,166 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.85% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$50,230
2025 BLS Actual
$64,340
2026 Current Est.
$66,309
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,309 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,338 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Canton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.1% from $50,230 (2019) to $64,340 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,338 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,108 (36.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Canton 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) | $52,592 – $58,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,981 – $66,309 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,309 – $73,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,502 – $80,531 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Canton
In Canton, where approximately 510 police officers serve, the cost of living index stands at 89.406—below the national average—affecting the real purchasing power of salaries in the area. Departments such as municipal police forces typically provide the foundation for most positions, yet competitive pay can also be found in roles with county sheriff's offices and federal law enforcement agencies. The disparity between lower and higher salaries hinges on various factors, including agency type, union contract structures, and special assignments, which can significantly enhance total compensation. For those pursuing higher pay in this market, strategies like seeking advanced training or applying for positions within specialized units may facilitate increased earnings and better pension benefits, further maximizing financial stability when planning retirement through methods like leveraging the pension multiplier formula.
More salary data for Canton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Canton, OH in 2026?
Is Canton, OH a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Canton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Canton?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Canton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $64,340 for police officersin the Canton 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