Police Officer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $83,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $83,448/year (≈ $40.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $82,730 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Salt Lake City, Utah, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $83,448, which represents a competitive position against the national figure of $78,542. The salary range for these officers varies significantly, spanning from $64,763 at the lower end (P10) to $105,915 at the upper end (P90). This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that while base salaries can vary, opportunities for overtime—especially related to mandatory court appearances and special duty assignments—can significantly boost overall compensation. Given these dynamics, Salt Lake City remains an appealing job market for law enforcement professionals, particularly for those open to maximizing their earnings through varied assignments and overtime.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,763 | $31.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,710 | $33.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,448 | $40.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,443 | $47.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,915 | $50.92 |
Median Salary Position
6.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,152 (2026 est.). At $83,448, the local median is 6.25% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Police Officer Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $83,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $80,470 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +6.25% more |
Police Officers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $83,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.70% above the Utah state average of $80,470.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,448 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,730 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,300
2025 BLS Actual
$80,970
2026 Current Est.
$83,448
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 36.5% from $59,300 (2019) to $80,970 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,701 (45.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $64,763 – $68,710 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,710 – $83,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,448 – $99,443 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,443 – $105,915 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Salt Lake City
Currently, approximately 2,660 police officers are employed in Salt Lake City, highlighting robust demand for law enforcement in the area. The cost of living index stands at 100.868, suggesting that while salaries are reasonably competitive, the take-home purchasing power may be no higher than in other parts of the country. Among the highest-paying employers within the area, federal agencies and municipal police departments typically lead, offering better compensation compared to state or rural departments. The distinctions in pay largely arise from agency type, union contracts, and various incentives, including overtime and educational stipends. For officers seeking to maximize their compensation, strategically seeking special unit assignments or shifts that include premium pay can enhance financial outcomes significantly.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $80,970 for police officersin the Salt Lake City 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