Police Officer Salary in San Juan, PR: $46,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in San Juan, PR earns a median $46,903/year (≈ $22.55/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 $62,537 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 42.4% above the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For police officers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026 brings a median annual salary of $46,903, a figure significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for these positions spans from $31,598 at the 10th percentile to $51,530 at the 90th percentile. These data points, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflect the varying compensation landscape influenced by factors such as experience and agency type. The overall job market for police officers in San Juan is bolstered by the local demand, which ensures opportunities but also reveals the complexities of compensation compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,598 | $15.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,370 | $17.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,903 | $22.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,623 | $23.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,530 | $24.78 |
Median Salary Position
40.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Juan
In San Juan, PR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,932 (2026 est.). At $46,903, the local median is 40.28% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Juan: You'd be in the upper quartile
How San Juan Police Officer Pay Compares
San Juan median: $46,903/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Juan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $32,937 | +42.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -40.28% less |
Police Officers in San Juan, PR earn a median of $46,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.28% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 42.40% above the Puerto Rico state average of $32,937.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,440
2025 BLS Actual
$45,510
2026 Current Est.
$46,903
2019–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,338 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Juan metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 32.1% from $34,440 (2019) to $45,510 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,338 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,898 (40.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Juan 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) | $31,598 – $35,370 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,370 – $46,903 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,903 – $49,623 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,623 – $51,530 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in San Juan
A total of 10,770 police officers are currently employed within the city, further illustrating the substantial presence of law enforcement in this region. Local living costs play a crucial role in shaping real earnings power, making it essential for officers to consider the economic environment when evaluating their compensation packages. Among the notable employers, municipal police departments often provide the most consistent pay, while federal law enforcement may offer higher salaries and added benefits like overtime. The disparity in officer pay is often driven by agency type—federal positions tend to command higher salaries than state or municipal roles—along with specific stipends available for special unit assignments. Maximizing earnings can involve seeking roles with educational incentives or pursuing overtime opportunities, particularly through union contracts that can enhance base pay. Understanding these dynamics will better position officers to navigate their career in San Juan’s police department.
More salary data for San Juan, 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 $45,510 for police officersin the San Juan 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