Police Officer Salary in Lima, OH: $64,072 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lima, OH earns a median $64,072/year (≈ $30.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lima's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $71,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.8% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lima, OH, police officers earn a median annual salary of $64,072 in 2026, reflecting a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $78,542. The pay range for local officers varies considerably, starting at $49,232 for the bottom ten percentile and reaching up to $74,925 for the top tier. This data is derived from the latest projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting the structural differences between federal, municipal, and state law enforcement agencies. Lima's municipal police salaries illustrate the broader trend of lower compensation rates typically associated with smaller urban areas, which often struggle to compete with larger metropolitan departments offering more appealing salaries and benefits.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,232 | $23.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,734 | $28.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,072 | $30.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,864 | $34.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,925 | $36.02 |
Median Salary Position
18.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,693 (2026 est.). At $64,072, the local median is 18.42% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be above the median
How Lima Police Officer Pay Compares
Lima median: $64,072/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,330 | -13.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -18.42% less |
Police Officers in Lima, OH earn a median of $64,072 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.42% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 13.80% below the Ohio state average of $74,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 10.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.669 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $64,072 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,454 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,410
2025 BLS Actual
$62,170
2026 Current Est.
$64,072
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,072 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 23.3% from $50,410 (2019) to $62,170 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,623 (30.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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) | $49,232 – $59,734 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,734 – $64,072 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,072 – $71,864 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,864 – $74,925 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lima
With 180 police officers currently employed in the Lima area, the job market presents moderate stability despite the below-average cost of living index of 89.669. This lower index can positively impact purchasing power, allowing a police officer salary in Lima to stretch further than in areas with higher costs. While municipal police departments represent the primary employer in the region, larger federal entities such as the FBI and DEA usually offer the most competitive pay for those looking to transition after retiring from local service. The salary spread for officers is influenced by various factors, including agency type, union negotiations, and special assignment incentives. Maximizing earnings in Lima might involve pursuing additional training or educational opportunities, which can lead to higher pay grades and promotional prospects within the department.
More salary data for Lima, 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 $62,170 for police officersin the Lima 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