Police Officer Salary in Ponce, PR: $31,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Ponce, PR earns a median $31,773/year (≈ $15.27/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 $42,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ponce, Puerto Rico, the median annual police officer salary is projected to be $31,773 for 2026, which stands in stark contrast to the national median of $78,542, reflecting a notable -59.55% discrepancy. Salaries for officers in this region range from $24,961 at the 10th percentile to $31,773 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying compensation levels based on experience, duties, and additional responsibilities. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the financial realities faced by those serving in law enforcement roles locally. The disparity in pay often necessitates mandatory overtime, especially for court appearances and special duties, which can effectively enhance overall compensation for those willing to work additional hours.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,961 | $12.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,228 | $14.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,773 | $15.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31,773 | $15.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31,773 | $15.27 |
Median Salary Position
59.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponce
In Ponce, PR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $6,812 (2026 est.). At $31,773, the local median is 59.55% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Ponce: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Ponce Police Officer Pay Compares
Ponce median: $31,773/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponce Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $32,926 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -59.55% less |
Police Officers in Ponce, PR earn a median of $31,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 59.55% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% below the Puerto Rico state average of $32,926.
2019 BLS Actual
$22,550
2025 BLS Actual
$30,830
2026 Current Est.
$31,773
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponce metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 36.7% from $22,550 (2019) to $30,830 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $32,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,196 (45.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponce 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) | $24,961 – $29,228 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,228 – $31,773 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,773 – $31,773 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $31,773 – $31,773 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Ponce
The local job market in Ponce supports around 330 police officers, presenting a relatively stable employment landscape. However, living costs in the area must be considered when assessing the real earnings potential for individuals in these positions. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally offer competitive pay, although salaries can fluctuate significantly based on the agency type. In Ponce, enhanced pay often comes from overtime structured through union contracts or special unit assignments like SWAT and K-9 stipends. For officers looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing weekend shifts or educational incentives could yield substantial benefits, as many departments provide additional compensation for higher educational attainment. Maintaining a focus on agencies with better overtime policies and seeking out positions with shift differentials could also benefit long-term financial stability in a market where federal positions tend to pay the most overall.
More salary data for Ponce, 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 $30,830 for police officersin the Ponce 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