Police Officer Salary in The Dalles, OR: $85,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in The Dalles, OR earns a median $85,936/year (≈ $41.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $83,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In The Dalles, Oregon, police officer salaries reflect competitive trends within the region, with a projected median annual salary of $85,936 for 2026. The local salary range offers a broad spectrum, from $58,836 at the lower percentile to $124,652 at the higher end, indicating a diverse array of compensation based on experience and position. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. In comparison to the national average of $78,542, the police officer pay in The Dalles OR is approximately 9.41% higher, making it an attractive option for law enforcement professionals considering this municipality over others with similar operational structures, such as state and federal law enforcement agencies.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,836 | $28.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,702 | $33.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,936 | $41.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,652 | $59.93 |
Median Salary Position
9.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,816 (2026 est.). At $85,936, the local median is 9.41% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Police Officer Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $85,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $92,703 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +9.41% more |
Police Officers in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $85,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.41% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $92,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,936 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,758 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,095
2025 BLS Actual
$83,384
2026 Current Est.
$85,936
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,095 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,692 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,983 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,084 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,974 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $69,095 (2019) to $83,384 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,470 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles 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) | $58,836 – $69,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,702 – $85,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,936 – $108,890 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,890 – $124,652 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in The Dalles
With six police officers currently employed in The Dalles, the local job market offers a limited yet potentially stable environment for aspiring law enforcement personnel. The area's cost-of-living index of 102.6 shows that while expenses are slightly elevated compared to the national average, officer salaries remain competitive for the region. For those seeking the highest earning potential in The Dalles, municipal police departments generally provide the best compensation, surpassing state police, county sheriff's offices, and tribal agencies. Various factors contribute to salary discrepancies, including agency type, overtime contracts, and the availability of specialized unit assignments. For maximizing financial benefits, law enforcement professionals are encouraged to pursue higher education degrees for potential pay increases and engage in overtime opportunities when available. Understanding how much do police officers make in The Dalles is essential for making informed career decisions in this evolving sector.
More salary data for The Dalles, 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 $83,384 for police officersin the The Dalles 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 The Dalles 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