Police Officer Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $92,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $92,321/year (≈ $44.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $90,022 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the projected median salary for police officers in 2026 is estimated to be $92,321, which is significantly higher than the national median of $78,542. This figure reflects a robust job market for law enforcement in the city, with salaries ranging from $56,724 at the 10th percentile to $124,909 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, and they highlight the competitive nature of police officer pay in Philadelphia compared to other regions. The structural choice of working in municipal police departments versus federal or state positions significantly influences salary levels, as federal law enforcement agencies typically offer higher compensation packages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,724 | $27.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,852 | $36.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,321 | $44.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,885 | $49.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,909 | $60.05 |
Median Salary Position
17.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,185 (2026 est.). At $92,321, the local median is 17.54% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be above the median
How Philadelphia Police Officer Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $92,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,651 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +17.54% more |
Police Officers in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $92,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.54% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 11.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,651.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $92,321 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,022 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,720
2025 BLS Actual
$89,580
2026 Current Est.
$92,321
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,146 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 21.5% from $73,720 (2019) to $89,580 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,426 (29.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $56,724 – $75,852 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,852 – $92,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,321 – $102,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,885 – $124,909 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Philadelphia
With around 13,160 police officers currently employed in the Philadelphia area, the local job market remains strong, but the cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 102.554, can impact real purchasing power. For those seeking higher compensation, working in federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or DEA generally offers the most lucrative packages. The variation in pay among different police agencies in Philadelphia is influenced by factors including union contracts, overtime structures, special assignments, and educational incentives. To maximize earning potential, officers should focus on obtaining advanced degrees or taking on specialized roles that offer additional pay, while also considering the pension multiplier formulas, which can enhance long-term financial security through retirement benefits.
More salary data for Philadelphia, 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 $89,580 for police officersin the Philadelphia 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