Police Officer Salary in Wooster, OH: $71,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wooster, OH earns a median $71,907/year (≈ $34.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wooster's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $79,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wooster, Ohio, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $71,907 in 2026, which reflects the local market conditions compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city is projected to fall between $48,866 at the 10th percentile and $106,896 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Local dynamics, such as the structural choice between federal, state, and municipal law enforcement, play a significant role in determining police officer pay in Wooster, highlighting the intricacies of compensation across different agency types.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,866 | $23.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,437 | $28.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,907 | $34.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,246 | $42.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,896 | $51.40 |
Median Salary Position
8.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wooster
In Wooster, OH, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,030 (2026 est.). At $71,907, the local median is 8.45% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wooster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wooster Police Officer Pay Compares
Wooster median: $71,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wooster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $74,284 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -8.45% less |
Police Officers in Wooster, OH earn a median of $71,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.45% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.20% below the Ohio state average of $74,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wooster 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.
Wooster, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $71,907 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,280 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,815
2025 BLS Actual
$69,772
2026 Current Est.
$71,907
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,232 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,174 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,772 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wooster metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $57,815 (2019) to $69,772 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,292 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wooster 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) | $48,866 – $58,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,437 – $71,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,907 – $89,246 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,246 – $106,896 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wooster
With only six police officers employed in the area, the job market for law enforcement in Wooster remains competitive despite the relatively low employment figures. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 90.7, which is below the national average, this impacts officers’ take-home purchasing power. In terms of compensation, municipal departments typically offer lower salaries than federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI or DEA, which can provide clearer pathways to higher earnings due to overtime and benefits. Factors such as agency type, union contracts, and additional incentives—including shift differentials and educational pay for advanced degrees—contribute to the variation in officer salaries. For those entering or advancing in this field in Wooster, acquiring advanced certifications or transitioning to federal roles may be effective strategies to enhance overall compensation during a career in law enforcement.
More salary data for Wooster, 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 $69,772 for police officersin the Wooster 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 Wooster 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