Police Officer Salary in Puerto Rico: $46,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $46,398/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,864 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Mayaguez ($61,440), San Juan ($45,510), Arecibo ($33,070).
Considering a career as a police officer in Puerto Rico involves understanding the state's salary landscape, which significantly lags behind the national average. In 2026, the average median salary for police officers in Puerto Rico is projected at $46,398, compared to the national median of $78,542, reflecting a 40.9% disparity. The city of Mayaguez stands out as the highest-paying area with a salary of $63,320, while Aguadilla offers the lowest at $29,434, highlighting a salary gap of $33,886 that can be attributed to factors like local cost of living, budget allocations for law enforcement, and demand for police services in different regions. Candidates pursuing this career in Puerto Rico must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that govern law enforcement practices. The job market shows an annual growth rate of 3.06%, driven by a consistent demand for officers amidst population fluctuations and community safety needs. Other key cities like San Juan, Arecibo, Ponce, and Guayama offer salaries of $46,903, $34,082, $31,773, and $30,310 respectively, illustrating varying opportunities across the island. Understanding these parameters can help prospective officers make informed career decisions in Puerto Rico's police force.
Puerto Rico Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $22,508 (lowest entry-level) to $101,226 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico police officers earn 40.93% less than the national median ($-32,144/year difference).
Puerto Rico Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Puerto Rico range from $31,217 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,779 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,398. The Puerto Rico median is $32,144 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $22.31/hr. Approximately 11,540 police officers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,647
2025 BLS Actual
$45,020
2026 Current Est.
$46,398
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,066 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,356 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,439 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,418 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 33.8% from $33,647 (2019) to $45,020 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,171 (42.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Lowest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $31,217 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,398 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,779 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Compare Cities in Puerto Rico
View all comparisons →Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Puerto Rico?
How many police officers are employed in Puerto Rico?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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