Police Officer Salary in Scranton, PA: $74,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Scranton, PA earns a median $74,420/year (≈ $35.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $79,546 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The police officer salary in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is projected to be $74,420 annually in 2026, a figure that places the city slightly below the national median of $78,542. Local police officers can expect a salary range from $50,819 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $108,893 for those at the top of the pay scale (90th percentile). This data derives from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the structural choice often faced by candidates and professionals in law enforcement: entering federal service with higher compensation rates or pursuing roles in municipal and state agencies with varying pay scales. As Scranton continues to develop its law enforcement framework, understanding the nuances of this pay structure becomes vital for career planning.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,819 | $24.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,878 | $29.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,020 | $47.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,893 | $52.35 |
Median Salary Position
5.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,074 (2026 est.). At $74,420, the local median is 5.25% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Police Officer Pay Compares
Scranton median: $74,420/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,688 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.25% less |
Police Officers in Scranton, PA earn a median of $74,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 10.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $82,688.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,420 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,546 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,780
2025 BLS Actual
$72,210
2026 Current Est.
$74,420
2019–2027 Growth
+48.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 39.5% from $51,780 (2019) to $72,210 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,917 (48.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $50,819 – $60,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,878 – $74,420 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,420 – $98,020 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,020 – $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 Scranton
In Scranton, approximately 1,360 police officers contribute to the local law enforcement landscape, a reflection of the city's commitment to public safety. The cost of living index in Scranton stands at 93.556, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, thus enhancing the purchasing power of police officer pay in this region. Among the various types of law enforcement agencies, federal positions typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by municipal and county roles. Factors influencing the range in compensation include agency type, union contracts that govern overtime, and specialty assignments that can offer additional stipends. Maximizing pay in this specific market requires a focus on strategic career moves such as pursuing specialized training, seeking opportunities for advancement within the department, and negotiating benefits related to pension multiplier formulas that can significantly impact long-term financial stability.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 $72,210 for police officersin the Scranton 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