Police Officer Salary in Allentown, PA: $87,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Allentown, PA earns a median $87,117/year (≈ $41.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Allentown's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $87,145 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Allentown, Pennsylvania, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $87,117, reflecting a competitive position in the broader regional context. Within this framework, salaries range from $54,756 at the lower decile to $108,893 at the upper decile, highlighting the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and specialization. These insights are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, and the data indicates that Allentown's police compensation is approximately 10.92% higher than the national median salary of $78,542 for officers. This favorable outlook illustrates an appealing opportunity for prospective officers, as the city maintains an organized structure with distinct tiers of law enforcement, including federal, state, and municipal agencies, each influencing salary expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,756 | $26.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,567 | $31.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,117 | $41.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,979 | $47.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,893 | $52.35 |
Median Salary Position
10.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Allentown
In Allentown, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,137 (2026 est.). At $87,117, the local median is 10.92% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Allentown: You'd be above the median
How Allentown Police Officer Pay Compares
Allentown median: $87,117/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Allentown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,653 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +10.92% more |
Police Officers in Allentown, PA earn a median of $87,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.92% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Allentown has a cost of living 0.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Allentown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 99.968 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $87,117 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,145 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,960
2025 BLS Actual
$84,530
2026 Current Est.
$87,117
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Allentown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 22.6% from $68,960 (2019) to $84,530 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,822 (30.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allentown 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) | $54,756 – $65,567 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,567 – $87,117 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,117 – $98,979 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,979 – $108,893 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Allentown
The local job market for police officers in Allentown is robust, with approximately 1,610 officers currently employed, indicating strong demand within the region. The cost of living, indexed at 99.968, suggests that officers can maintain a solid purchasing power with their salaries, albeit slightly below the national average. Among law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments tend to provide the most competitive pay, although federal positions, such as those with the FBI or DEA, generally surpass these figures. Variations in pay can stem from agency types, with federal agencies typically offering the highest salaries followed by urban municipal roles and then state police. Factors like union contracts, overtime pay, and specialized assignments significantly influence these disparities. To maximize earnings within Allentown’s market, officers should consider overtime opportunities, advanced training, and special unit roles that can offer stipends or higher pay grades.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
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 $84,530 for police officersin the Allentown 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