Police Officer Salary in Erie, PA: $83,334 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Erie, PA earns a median $83,334/year (≈ $40.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $91,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, police officer salaries reflect both competitive local earnings and the long-term benefits associated with pension systems. With a median annual salary projected at $83,334 for 2026, Erie’s officers enjoy a substantial pay scale, ranging from $48,809 at the lower end to $110,944 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. These figures derive from comprehensive surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, highlighting Erie's commitment to adequate compensation for law enforcement personnel. Compared to the national median of $78,542, the police officer pay in Erie, PA, signifies a 6.10% premium, showcasing the area's ability to attract talent in a competitive job market that prioritizes public safety.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,809 | $23.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,351 | $29.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,334 | $40.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,989 | $47.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,944 | $53.34 |
Median Salary Position
6.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,135 (2026 est.). At $83,334, the local median is 6.1% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be above the median
How Erie Police Officer Pay Compares
Erie median: $83,334/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,673 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +6.10% more |
Police Officers in Erie, PA earn a median of $83,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,673.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $83,334 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,626 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,390
2025 BLS Actual
$80,860
2026 Current Est.
$83,334
2019–2027 Growth
+9.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,334 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 3.2% from $78,390 (2019) to $80,860 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,494 (9.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $48,809 – $62,351 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,351 – $83,334 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,334 – $98,989 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,989 – $110,944 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Erie
Employing approximately 660 police officers, Erie presents a robust local job market. However, the cost of living, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 90.95, suggests that take-home purchasing power can be influenced by housing and local expenses. In terms of compensation, municipal police departments tend to offer salaries that align with regional standards, while federal roles often yield the highest pay, particularly in agencies like the FBI or DEA. Factors such as agency type, union contracts, overtime possibilities, and educational incentives drive the salary spectrum. To maximize earnings, officers in Erie should consider pursuing advanced education and training, as these can enhance eligibility for higher pay scales, including specialized duties within law enforcement that command additional stipends.
More salary data for Erie, 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 $80,860 for police officersin the Erie 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