Police Officer Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $81,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $81,343/year (≈ $39.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $83,514 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Wilkes-Barre, PA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $81,343, which is slightly above the national median of $78,542. The salary range for police officers in the area spans from $50,834 at the 10th percentile to $118,576 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reveal both the competitive nature of salaries in this specific market and the potential for long-term retirement benefits, particularly when considering pension multiplier formulas. Given these figures, it’s evident that Wilkes-Barre presents a unique job market where dedicated police officers have the opportunity to secure stable pay and benefits over time.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,834 | $24.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,823 | $30.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,343 | $39.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,580 | $49.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,576 | $57.00 |
Median Salary Position
3.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,742 (2026 est.). At $81,343, the local median is 3.57% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Police Officer Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $81,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,666 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +3.57% more |
Police Officers in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $81,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.57% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $82,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $81,343 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,514 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$65,402
2025 BLS Actual
$78,928
2026 Current Est.
$81,343
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,402 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,877 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,914 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,136 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,858 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $65,402 (2019) to $78,928 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,430 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $50,834 – $62,823 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,823 – $81,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,343 – $102,580 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,580 – $118,576 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
While only 11 police officers are employed in Wilkes-Barre, the city's cost of living index stands at 97.4, indicating that salaries could stretch further than in many comparable metropolitan areas. This index suggests that officers can enjoy favorable take-home purchasing power due to lower living costs. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive wages, but opportunities with federal law enforcement agencies can significantly elevate earnings potential. Variations in pay often stem from factors such as agency type, overtime opportunities tied to union contracts, and educational incentives. Officers can maximize their earnings by pursuing special unit assignments, such as SWAT or detective roles, and considering additional educational qualifications that increase their wage tier. Understanding these dynamics is essential for a successful career trajectory in law enforcement within Wilkes-Barre.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2026?
Is Wilkes-Barre, PA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Wilkes-Barre?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Wilkes-Barre?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Wilkes-Barre?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $78,928 for police officersin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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