Police Officer Salary in York, PA: $81,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in York, PA earns a median $81,984/year (≈ $39.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in York's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $85,400 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In York, Pennsylvania, the median annual police officer salary is projected to be $81,984 in 2026, marking a notable increase over past years and positioning itself above the national median of $78,542. The salary for police officers in this region falls within a range that spans from $62,588 at the 10th percentile to $114,015 at the 90th percentile. This relevant data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlights the competitive compensation available for municipal police officers, especially when contrasting with potential federal roles which generally offer higher salaries. Such variations create a compelling landscape for those considering public service careers in law enforcement within York, with salaries that reflect the local job market dynamics and regional cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,588 | $30.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,236 | $33.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,984 | $39.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,576 | $48.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,015 | $54.82 |
Median Salary Position
4.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in York
In York, PA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,427 (2026 est.). At $81,984, the local median is 4.38% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in York: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How York Police Officer Pay Compares
York median: $81,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | York Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $82,645 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +4.38% more |
Police Officers in York, PA earn a median of $81,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.38% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $82,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
York has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
York, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $81,984 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,400 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,380
2025 BLS Actual
$79,550
2026 Current Est.
$81,984
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,493 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the York metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 18.1% from $67,380 (2019) to $79,550 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,493 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,113 (25.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the York 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) | $62,588 – $69,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,236 – $81,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,984 – $100,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,576 – $114,015 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in York
In York, approximately 630 police officers are currently employed, a figure reflecting the robust presence of law enforcement in this city. With a cost-of-living index of 96, the salaries in York provide a slightly adjusted take-home income that can affect purchasing power compared to higher-cost cities. Among law enforcement agencies in the area, municipal police departments typically offer superior pay compared to state police and county sheriff's offices, while federal law enforcement positions, such as those in the FBI or DEA, tend to command the highest salaries due to their comprehensive benefits and overtime structures. Factors influencing the disparity in police officer pay in York include job classification, tenure, union negotiations regarding overtime and supplemental pay, and educational incentives that reward advanced degrees. For candidates looking to establish or enhance their careers in law enforcement, pursuing roles in specialized units or obtaining advanced educational qualifications can be strategic moves to maximize earning potential in this evolving job market.
More salary data for York, 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 $79,550 for police officersin the York 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