Police Officer Salary in Portland, OR: $100,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Portland, OR earns a median $100,174/year (≈ $48.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $95,023 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Portland, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $100,174, positioning them notably higher than the national median of $78,542, reflecting a difference of 27.54%. The salary range for local officers spans from $82,077 at the 10th percentile to $117,550 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, which highlight the competitive pay structure that can be further enhanced through overtime. In particular, mandatory court appearances and special detail assignments can drive up overall compensation, making the economic reality of police work in Portland more lucrative than in many other regions. The strength of this salary projection is indicative of the city’s commitment to supporting its law enforcement professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,077 | $39.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,715 | $41.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,174 | $48.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,349 | $49.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,550 | $56.52 |
Median Salary Position
27.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,473 (2026 est.). At $100,174, the local median is 27.54% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Police Officer Pay Compares
Portland median: $100,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $92,754 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +27.54% more |
Police Officers in Portland, OR earn a median of $100,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.54% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.00% above the Oregon state average of $92,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,174 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,023 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,480
2025 BLS Actual
$97,200
2026 Current Est.
$100,174
2019–2027 Growth
+28.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,240 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.8% from $80,480 (2019) to $97,200 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,240 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,760 (28.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $82,077 – $86,715 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,715 – $100,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,174 – $103,349 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,349 – $117,550 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Portland
Portland's job market reveals that there are approximately 2,290 police officers currently employed in the area, navigating an economy characterized by a cost-of-living index of 105.421 — slightly above the national average. This metric gives a clearer picture of how take-home pay translates into real purchasing power. Among local law enforcement agencies, municipal departments typically offer competitive salaries in comparison to county sheriff's offices and state police. Factors contributing to the varying pay scales include the type of agency—federal positions generally yield the highest pay—along with union-negotiated overtime structures, special unit assignments, and education incentives. Officers wishing to maximize their pay should consider pursuing higher education and seeking roles in specialized units. This approach can lead to significant financial benefits over a career in law enforcement.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $97,200 for police officersin the Portland 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