Police Officer Salary in Delaware, OH: $73,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Delaware, OH earns a median $73,378/year (≈ $35.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Delaware's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $80,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Delaware, Ohio, police officers can anticipate a median annual compensation of $73,378 in 2026, reflecting a competitive salary range from $46,592 at the lower end to $104,686 for those at the higher end of their careers. This projection positions local police officer pay slightly below the national median of $78,542, indicating some financial pressures in relation to broader market compensation. However, officers in this community often benefit from overtime opportunities due to mandatory court appearances and special assignments, which can significantly enhance their effective earnings. The salary estimates provided are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, and suggest that the job market in Delaware remains stable, albeit impacted by surrounding economic variables and departmental budgets.
About the Delaware Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,592 | $22.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,825 | $28.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,378 | $35.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,370 | $43.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,686 | $50.33 |
Median Salary Position
6.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Delaware
In Delaware, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,094 (2026 est.). At $73,378, the local median is 6.57% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Delaware: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Delaware Police Officer Pay Compares
Delaware median: $73,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Delaware Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,269 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -6.57% less |
Police Officers in Delaware, OH earn a median of $73,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.57% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $74,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Delaware 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.
Delaware, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $73,378 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,902 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,998
2025 BLS Actual
$71,199
2026 Current Est.
$73,378
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,998 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,231 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,905 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,199 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $58,998 (2019) to $71,199 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,625 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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) | $46,592 – $59,825 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,825 – $73,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,378 – $91,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,370 – $104,686 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Delaware
With seven police officers currently employed in Delaware, the city presents a unique job market for those seeking law enforcement careers. The local cost-of-living index stands at 90.7, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further here than in more expensive cities. Among local law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments are the primary employers, while federal positions typically offer higher salaries for specialized roles. Variations in pay can often be attributed to factors like agency type and the availability of overtime through unions, as officers may earn additional income through special unit assignments or when working atypical hours. Aspiring officers should consider these dynamics and strategically pursue overtime opportunities and advanced training to maximize their compensation potential in Delaware, OH.
More salary data for Delaware, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $71,199 for police officersin the Delaware 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 Delaware 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