Police Officer Salary in Bend, OR: $100,205 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bend, OR earns a median $100,205/year (≈ $48.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bend's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $96,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bend, Oregon, police officer salaries are notably strong, reflecting an increasing trend in the law enforcement compensation landscape. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $100,205, substantially higher than the national median of $78,542, illustrating a 27.58% premium for officers working in this region. Salary ranges are considerable, spanning from $78,892 at the 10th percentile to $115,973 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, which indicates a robust demand for law enforcement professionals in an area with a unique set of economic conditions, including mandatory overtime from court appearances and special details significantly driving overall pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,892 | $37.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,994 | $40.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,205 | $48.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,256 | $49.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,973 | $55.76 |
Median Salary Position
27.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,081 (2026 est.). At $100,205, the local median is 27.58% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be above the median
How Bend Police Officer Pay Compares
Bend median: $100,205/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $92,697 | +8.10% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +27.58% more |
Police Officers in Bend, OR earn a median of $100,205 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.58% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.10% above the Oregon state average of $92,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 3.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,205 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,716 — a 3.48% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,270
2025 BLS Actual
$97,230
2026 Current Est.
$100,205
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,205 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,272 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 25.8% from $77,270 (2019) to $97,230 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,272 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,002 (33.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $78,892 – $83,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,994 – $100,205 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,205 – $103,256 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,256 – $115,973 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bend
Analyzing the job market in Bend reveals a total of 290 police officers currently employed within the city, facing a cost-of-living index measure of 103.607, which slightly outpaces the national average. This higher living cost impacts take-home purchasing power, making it essential for officers to effectively maximize their compensation. Among various employers in the region, municipal departments typically provide competitive pay, although federal law enforcement entities yield higher salaries, particularly for roles like FBI agents. The disparity in earnings can also be influenced by factors such as agency type, overtime structures defined by union contracts, and additional stipends for specialized unit assignments or educational achievement, which can foster growth in pay. Officers seeking to raise their earnings should consider pursuing advanced training, aiming for specialized roles, and strategically navigating their agency's labor agreement provisions to gain maximum yield in this vibrant job market.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $97,230 for police officersin the Bend 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