Police Officer Salary in Lakewood, OH: $73,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lakewood, OH earns a median $73,931/year (≈ $35.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $81,512 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Lakewood, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $73,931, which remains slightly below the national figure of $78,542, marking a difference of about 5.87%. The salary range spans from a lower decile of $43,993 to an upper decile of $114,392, highlighting the significant pay potential within the law enforcement field. These local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity. Given that overtime from mandatory court appearances and special details often augment earnings, Lakewood’s police officers can leverage these opportunities to enhance their overall financial package. This dynamic reflects not only the demands of the role but also the competitive environment for law enforcement positions in the area.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,993 | $21.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,392 | $26.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,931 | $35.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,820 | $45.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,392 | $54.99 |
Median Salary Position
5.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,399 (2026 est.). At $73,931, the local median is 5.87% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Police Officer Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $73,931/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,303 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.87% less |
Police Officers in Lakewood, OH earn a median of $73,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.87% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $74,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood 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.
Lakewood, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $73,931 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,512 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% 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
$59,443
2025 BLS Actual
$71,736
2026 Current Est.
$73,931
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,037 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,365 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,736 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,193 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,443 (2019) to $71,736 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,193 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,750 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $43,993 – $55,392 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,392 – $73,931 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,931 – $93,820 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,820 – $114,392 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lakewood
Lakewood has a relatively small police force, with only 11 officers currently employed, which may limit immediate job openings but also suggests a tightly-knit work environment. The cost of living index in Lakewood stands at 90.7, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which helps stretch take-home pay for officers. Among local employers, municipal police departments are typically the main source of employment, but state and federal agencies offer the highest pay scales, with federal law enforcement positions often paying significantly more due to their larger budgets. Factors that influence the spread in salaries include agency type, which generally sees federal posts at the top tier, followed by urban municipalities, and various compensation structures such as union contracts and special unit assignments. For officers looking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional qualifications and specialty assignments, such as SWAT or detective roles, can yield substantial financial incentives in Lakewood’s job market.
More salary data for Lakewood, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Lakewood, OH in 2026?
Is Lakewood, OH a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Lakewood?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Lakewood?
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 $71,736 for police officersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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