Police Officer Salary in Cranston, RI: $77,210 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Cranston, RI earns a median $77,210/year (≈ $37.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Cranston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $76,826 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Cranston, Rhode Island, offers a projected median police officer salary of $77,210 in 2026, which slightly lags behind the national median of $78,542. Salaries in this area range significantly from $50,026 at the 10th percentile to $119,466 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse compensation landscape. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional price parity and local market conditions. Given the pension multiplier's impact on long-term earnings, prospective officers in Cranston should consider these compensation elements alongside base salary when evaluating their career paths.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,026 | $24.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,909 | $29.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,829 | $47.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,466 | $57.44 |
Median Salary Position
1.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cranston
In Cranston, RI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,440 (2026 est.). At $77,210, the local median is 1.7% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cranston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cranston Police Officer Pay Compares
Cranston median: $77,210/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cranston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $78,947 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.70% less |
Police Officers in Cranston, RI earn a median of $77,210 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $78,947.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cranston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cranston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,210 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,826 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,079
2025 BLS Actual
$74,918
2026 Current Est.
$77,210
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Cranston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,429 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,515 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,675 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,918 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,210 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,573 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cranston metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,079 (2019) to $74,918 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,494 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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) | $50,026 – $60,909 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,909 – $77,210 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,210 – $98,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,829 – $119,466 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Cranston
With 12 police officers currently employed in Cranston, the local job market is modest, but the cost of living index at 100.5 suggests wages are slightly above the national average. Officers seeking to maximize their earnings may want to explore employment with federal law enforcement agencies, which typically offer higher pay and more substantial benefits. The compensation gap between the lower and upper salary ranges in this city can be influenced by various factors including agency type, union contracts, overtime opportunities, and special assignments. Those interested in maximizing their pay in Cranston should consider pursuing specialized training or additional education, as advanced degrees can lead to significant pay increases. Additionally, capitalizing on available shift differentials and overtime can also enhance take-home pay in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
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 $74,918 for police officersin the Cranston 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
Salary data for Cranston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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