Police Officer Salary in Middletown, OH: $73,649 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Middletown, OH earns a median $73,649/year (≈ $35.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $81,201 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Middletown, Ohio, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $73,649, which reflects a slight decrease of 6.23% compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range spans from $47,221 at the 10th percentile to $108,400 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by factors such as experience and assignment type. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data provide a clear insight into the compensation landscape, as law enforcement agencies from municipal police departments to state and federal positions create varied opportunities for potential candidates. Understanding these nuances is crucial for those considering a career as a police officer in this part of Ohio, where job roles may differ significantly based on whether they involve local or federal enforcement duties.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,221 | $22.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,534 | $27.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,649 | $35.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,510 | $44.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,400 | $52.12 |
Median Salary Position
6.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,179 (2026 est.). At $73,649, the local median is 6.23% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Police Officer Pay Compares
Middletown median: $73,649/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,318 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -6.23% less |
Police Officers in Middletown, OH earn a median of $73,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the Ohio state average of $74,318.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown 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.
Middletown, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $73,649 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,201 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,216
2025 BLS Actual
$71,462
2026 Current Est.
$73,649
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,216 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,457 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,691 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,777 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,462 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,649 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,216 (2019) to $71,462 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,686 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $47,221 – $57,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,534 – $73,649 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,649 – $93,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,510 – $108,400 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Middletown
With only nine police officers currently employed in Middletown, the job market can appear limited, but this should not deter prospective candidates. The cost of living in the area, reflected in a 90.7 index score, suggests that officers may enjoy a reasonable purchasing power despite salaries being relatively lower than the national average. Municipal police departments are generally the major employers for local officers; however, they often lag behind federal law enforcement in pay. Various factors drive salary discrepancies, such as overtime opportunities, union contracts, and specialized assignments like SWAT or detective roles that can significantly boost earnings. For those starting their careers, pursuing further education or seeking out departments with strong labor representation can be effective strategies to enhance their compensation in Middletown, OH, and advance within the law enforcement field.
More salary data for Middletown, 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 $71,462 for police officersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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