Police Officer Salary in South Kingstown, RI: $74,928 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in South Kingstown, RI earns a median $74,928/year (≈ $36.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in South Kingstown's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $74,555 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In South Kingstown, Rhode Island, police officers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $74,928 in 2026, reflecting the economic conditions and cost of living in the area. The salary range for this role extends from $48,566 at the 10th percentile to $111,270 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse income distribution among law enforcement personnel. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, showcasing the intricacies of both local job demand and financial resources. With a steady growth rate of 3.06% anticipated annually, there are opportunities for police officer pay in South Kingstown to slightly improve over time, though current salaries remain approximately 4.60% lower than the national average.
About the South Kingstown Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,566 | $23.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,154 | $28.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,928 | $36.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,737 | $46.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,270 | $53.50 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Kingstown
In South Kingstown, RI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,704 (2026 est.). At $74,928, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Kingstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Kingstown Police Officer Pay Compares
South Kingstown median: $74,928/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Kingstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $78,954 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -4.60% less |
Police Officers in South Kingstown, RI earn a median of $74,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $78,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Kingstown has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Kingstown, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,928 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,555 — a 0.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$60,244
2025 BLS Actual
$72,703
2026 Current Est.
$74,928
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in South Kingstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,244 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,524 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,637 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,763 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,954 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,687 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,928 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,220 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Kingstown metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,244 (2019) to $72,703 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,220 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,976 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Kingstown 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) | $48,566 – $59,154 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,154 – $74,928 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,928 – $95,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,737 – $111,270 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in South Kingstown
Currently, five police officers are employed in South Kingstown, highlighting a modest local job market that reflects both the demand for law enforcement and the resources available from municipal budgets. A cost-of-living index of 100.5 suggests that while expenses are slightly above the national average, the purchasing power of officer salaries in the region needs thoughtful consideration. Among local law enforcement options, municipalities typically offer competitive salaries, especially when factoring in potential overtime and bonuses tied to special assignments or union agreements. The considerable range in pay can be attributed to factors such as the type of agency, job responsibilities, shift differentials, and educational incentives. Officers aiming to maximize their earnings might benefit from pursuing advanced training, seeking specialized units like K-9 or tactical teams, and considering opportunities for additional duties that command higher pay structures in South Kingstown, RI.
More salary data for South Kingstown, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in South Kingstown, RI in 2026?
Is South Kingstown, RI a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in South Kingstown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in South Kingstown?
How much does a police officer make per hour in South Kingstown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 $72,703 for police officersin the South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown 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