Police Officer Salary in Bethlehem, PA: $89,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bethlehem, PA earns a median $89,239/year (≈ $42.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bethlehem's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $91,621 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, PA, police officers receive a median annual salary of $89,239 as of 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation package compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range spans from $55,501 at the 10th percentile to $132,609 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while entry-level positions may offer modest pay, experienced officers can earn significantly higher salaries. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, highlight the city's emphasis on maintaining an attractive wage structure for law enforcement professionals. Given Bethlehem's specific economic context, this robust pay scale can play a substantial role in shaping the employment landscape for police officers.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,501 | $26.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,934 | $33.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,239 | $42.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,364 | $54.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,609 | $63.75 |
Median Salary Position
13.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,108 (2026 est.). At $89,239, the local median is 13.62% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethlehem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethlehem Police Officer Pay Compares
Bethlehem median: $89,239/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethlehem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,628 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +13.62% more |
Police Officers in Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $89,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.62% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.00% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethlehem has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethlehem, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $89,239 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,621 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,750
2025 BLS Actual
$86,589
2026 Current Est.
$89,239
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,466 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,124 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethlehem metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $71,750 (2019) to $86,589 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,219 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethlehem 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) | $55,501 – $68,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,934 – $89,239 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,239 – $113,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,364 – $132,609 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bethlehem
With 14 police officers currently employed in Bethlehem, the local job market for law enforcement is relatively small but stable. The cost of living index stands at 97.4, implying that purchasing power may be slightly favorable for police officer pay in Bethlehem PA. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, while federal agencies, such as the FBI, provide even higher compensation. Factors influencing the salary range include agency type, with federal posts outpacing urban municipal pay; shifts and special assignments that come with overtime opportunities; as well as educational incentives. For officers aiming to maximize earnings in this market, pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in specialized units, and considering opportunities in federal law enforcement can be strategic moves to enhance their career and financial prospects.
More salary data for Bethlehem, 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 $86,589 for police officersin the Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem 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