Police Officer Salary in Stow, OH: $70,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Stow, OH earns a median $70,776/year (≈ $34.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Stow's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $78,033 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Stow, Ohio, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $70,776 in 2026, a figure that reflects local economic conditions and regional pay scales. The salary range for officers varies significantly from $46,267 at the 10th percentile to $103,062 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse levels of experience and responsibility within law enforcement roles. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for cost of living, suggest a competitive compensation package relative to other municipalities. Interestingly, Stow's police officer pay is approximately 9.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 for 2026, indicating a trend seen in many smaller cities where municipal budgets dictate pay scales.
About the Stow Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,267 | $22.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,167 | $27.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,776 | $34.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,188 | $42.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,062 | $49.55 |
Median Salary Position
9.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stow
In Stow, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,795 (2026 est.). At $70,776, the local median is 9.89% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stow: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stow Police Officer Pay Compares
Stow median: $70,776/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stow Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,345 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -9.89% less |
Police Officers in Stow, OH earn a median of $70,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.80% below the Ohio state average of $74,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stow 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.
Stow, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $70,776 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,033 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,906
2025 BLS Actual
$68,675
2026 Current Est.
$70,776
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Stow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,285 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,134 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,675 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stow metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $56,906 (2019) to $68,675 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,036 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stow 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) | $46,267 – $56,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,167 – $70,776 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,776 – $89,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,188 – $103,062 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Stow
In the context of Stow's local job market, there are nine employed police officers, which suggests a tightly knit department likely influenced by community needs and specific policing strategies. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, officers in this region enjoy more purchasing power compared to many urban counterparts. Among the various law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments typically offer the most stable employment and competitive compensation, while federal agencies tend to pay the highest salaries, providing a stark contrast in pay structures. Factors contributing to salary discrepancies include the type of agency, union negotiations, overtime possibilities, and special assignment pay, such as SWAT or detectives. To optimize earnings in Stow, officers should consider pursuing advanced degrees that might enhance their pay through educational incentives, as well as exploring shifts that qualify for additional differentials to maximize their take-home pay.
More salary data for Stow, 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 $68,675 for police officersin the Stow 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 Stow 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