Police Officer Salary in Johnstown, PA: $61,053 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Johnstown, PA earns a median $61,053/year (≈ $29.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Johnstown's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $71,051 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median salary for police officers in Johnstown, PA, is projected to reach $61,053, a figure that is notably lower than the national median of $78,542. This average reflects the extensive retirement compensation often tied to a pension multiplier formula, which can significantly enhance long-term value for officers nearing retirement. The salary range for this role spans from $46,552 at the 10th percentile to $99,917 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variety of earning potential based on experience, assignment, and department type. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS figures, which provide a benchmark for understanding the local employment market and offer insight into the compensation dynamics within law enforcement in Johnstown.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,552 | $22.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,386 | $23.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,053 | $29.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,286 | $34.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,917 | $48.04 |
Median Salary Position
22.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnstown
In Johnstown, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,365 (2026 est.). At $61,053, the local median is 22.27% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnstown Police Officer Pay Compares
Johnstown median: $61,053/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,615 | -26.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.27% less |
Police Officers in Johnstown, PA earn a median of $61,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.27% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 26.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $82,615.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnstown has a cost of living 14.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnstown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 85.929 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $61,053 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,051 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,570
2025 BLS Actual
$59,240
2026 Current Est.
$61,053
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Johnstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,053 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,921 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnstown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 30.0% from $45,570 (2019) to $59,240 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,921 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,351 (38.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnstown 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) | $46,552 – $49,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,386 – $61,053 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,053 – $72,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,286 – $99,917 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Johnstown
The job market for police officers in Johnstown consists of 200 employed individuals, creating a competitive yet stable environment for new recruits and seasoned professionals alike. With a cost-of-living index at 85.929, the purchasing power for officers in this region is relatively favorable compared to national averages. To maximize earnings, officers should consider pursuing roles within the federal law enforcement sector, which tend to offer the highest pay levels. Additional compensation can be accrued through agency-specific enhancements like special assignments, overtime opportunities, and educational incentives linked to advanced degrees. Recognizing the salary spread attributed to varying assignment types, shift differentials, and union negotiations can enable officers to strategically plan their careers in Johnstown, enhancing both their immediate income and long-term retirement benefits.
More salary data for Johnstown, 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 $59,240 for police officersin the Johnstown 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