Police Officer Salary in Washington, UT: $78,161 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Washington, UT earns a median $78,161/year (≈ $37.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Washington's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $79,675 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Washington, UT, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is set at $78,161. This figure reflects a robust salary range, from $47,495 at the 10th percentile to as high as $116,775 at the 90th percentile. Insights from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variances, highlight the competitive nature of police officer pay in this area, which mirrors the national median closely. Interestingly, the potential for overtime, especially through mandatory court appearances and special details, tends to significantly enhance overall compensation. Given the unique demands of law enforcement in Washington, local officers have opportunities to effectively augment their take-home pay through overtime, thus shaping the overall financial landscape for those in the field.
About the Washington Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,495 | $22.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,886 | $30.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,161 | $37.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,045 | $48.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,775 | $56.15 |
Median Salary Position
0.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, UT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,280 (2026 est.). At $78,161, the local median is 0.49% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Police Officer Pay Compares
Washington median: $78,161/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $80,495 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -0.49% less |
Police Officers in Washington, UT earn a median of $78,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.90% below the Utah state average of $80,495.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $78,161 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,675 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,843
2025 BLS Actual
$75,840
2026 Current Est.
$78,161
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,843 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,222 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,296 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,471 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,085 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,161 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,552 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,843 (2019) to $75,840 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,552 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,709 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $47,495 – $63,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,886 – $78,161 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,161 – $100,045 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,045 – $116,775 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Washington
Focusing on the local job market, only six police officers are currently employed in Washington, which suggests a compact and potentially competitive environment for law enforcement careers. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.1, slightly below the national average, indicating that while salaries are reasonable, purchasing power could be somewhat limited compared to larger urban centers. Of those job opportunities, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, although federal law enforcement roles present substantial financial advantages when considering base pay and potential overtime. Factors contributing to salary variations include agency type, the overtime structure of union contracts, education incentives, and special unit assignments. Officers seeking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing specialized roles like detectives or K-9 units, seek out education incentives, and optimize their contracts to capitalize on available benefits. Understanding these dynamics can make a significant difference in how much police officers make in Washington, UT.
More salary data for Washington, 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 $75,840 for police officersin the Washington 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 Washington 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