Police Officer Salary in Cleveland Heights, OH: $70,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Cleveland Heights, OH earns a median $70,512/year (≈ $33.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Cleveland Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $77,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected police officer salary in Cleveland Heights, OH, for 2026 stands at $70,512, which reflects a competitive yet below-average compensation compared to the national median of $78,542. Salaries for officers in this area range from a base of $45,964 at the 10th percentile to as high as $102,174 for the 90th percentile. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for local cost-of-living factors, which currently sit at an index of 90.7, indicating a pricing environment below the national average. With the city employing a modest nine officers, the local labor market for law enforcement suggests a stability in job availability with reasonable prospects given the growth rate of 3.06% projected annually over the coming years.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,964 | $22.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,512 | $33.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,547 | $42.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,174 | $49.12 |
Median Salary Position
10.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland Heights
In Cleveland Heights, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,210 (2026 est.). At $70,512, the local median is 10.22% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Heights Police Officer Pay Compares
Cleveland Heights median: $70,512/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,301 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -10.22% less |
Police Officers in Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $70,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.22% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $74,301.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland Heights has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $70,512 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,742 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,693
2025 BLS Actual
$68,418
2026 Current Est.
$70,512
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,693 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,839 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,004 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,063 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,526 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland Heights metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $56,693 (2019) to $68,418 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,976 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland Heights 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) | $45,964 – $55,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,640 – $70,512 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,512 – $88,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,547 – $102,174 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Cleveland Heights
While the established salary in Cleveland Heights offers a solid foundation for a law enforcement career, the cost of living presents challenges for take-home purchasing power. Considering the median salary, officers may find that expenses are somewhat elevated given the local housing and living costs. Among the various employers within the law enforcement spectrum, municipal police departments tend to provide competitive pay, commonly supplemented by overtime and specialized assignments such as SWAT or detective roles. The disparity in salaries can be influenced by multiple factors, including agency type—federal positions typically offer higher pay than municipal jobs—and the presence of union contracts that negotiate overtime and premium pays. To maximize earnings in this local market, law enforcement candidates should consider pursuing advanced training and certifications to qualify for educational pay incentives, as these can contribute significantly to overall compensation packages, particularly given the pension multiplier impacts on long-term earnings.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, 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 $68,418 for police officersin the Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights 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