Police Officer Salary in Arecibo, PR: $34,082 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Arecibo, PR earns a median $34,082/year (≈ $16.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $45,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Arecibo, PR, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $34,082, which is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this role extends from $24,899 at the 10th percentile to as high as $101,226 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a wide disparity in compensation. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight the unique economic landscape Arecibo presents for law enforcement professionals. Given the pension multiplier formula's impact on long-term retirement benefits, this salary structure could influence career decision-making for aspiring officers evaluating job security and future earnings in Puerto Rico's modest labor market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,899 | $11.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,630 | $13.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,082 | $16.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,769 | $37.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,226 | $48.66 |
Median Salary Position
56.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arecibo
In Arecibo, PR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,327 (2026 est.). At $34,082, the local median is 56.61% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arecibo: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Arecibo Police Officer Pay Compares
Arecibo median: $34,082/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arecibo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $32,929 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -56.61% less |
Police Officers in Arecibo, PR earn a median of $34,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.61% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% above the Puerto Rico state average of $32,929.
2019 BLS Actual
$19,060
2025 BLS Actual
$33,070
2026 Current Est.
$34,082
2019–2027 Growth
+84.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Arecibo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $18,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $19,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,082 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arecibo metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 73.5% from $19,060 (2019) to $33,070 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,065 (84.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arecibo 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) | $24,899 – $28,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,630 – $34,082 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,082 – $77,769 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,769 – $101,226 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Arecibo
With only 80 police officers employed in Arecibo, the local market for law enforcement is relatively limited, affecting job competition and salary negotiations. Living costs in Puerto Rico have a direct influence on real earnings potential; while the 2026 median salary appears low compared to national averages, it is more competitive when considering Arecibo’s economic environment. The highest police officer pay in Arecibo generally comes from municipal police departments and occasionally state police, as federal enforcement entities tend to dominate compensation scales elsewhere. Factors such as agency type, overtime from union contracts, special assignments, and shift differentials also create variability in salaries. Officers who maximize their earnings might consider pursuing advanced training, taking on specialized units, or seeking positions that offer educational incentives, all of which can enhance their pay structure within this unique job market.
More salary data for Arecibo, PR:
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 $33,070 for police officersin the Arecibo 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