Police Officer Salary in Bennington, VT: $77,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bennington, VT earns a median $77,896/year (≈ $37.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bennington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $75,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Bennington, Vermont, command a median annual salary of $77,896, slightly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for these positions spans from $51,221 at the 10th percentile to $110,753 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variability based on experience, specialization, and agency type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected for 2026 and adjusted for local cost of living, highlight how overtime compensation from mandatory court appearances and special details can significantly impact overall earnings. For police officers in Bennington, such factors create a nuanced pay structure that can amplify effective take-home pay beyond the base salary.
About the Bennington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,221 | $24.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,585 | $29.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,896 | $37.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,144 | $46.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,753 | $53.25 |
Median Salary Position
0.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bennington
In Bennington, VT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,532 (2026 est.). At $77,896, the local median is 0.82% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bennington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bennington Police Officer Pay Compares
Bennington median: $77,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bennington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $81,311 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -0.82% less |
Police Officers in Bennington, VT earn a median of $77,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.20% below the Vermont state average of $81,311.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bennington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bennington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,896 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,262 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,630
2025 BLS Actual
$75,583
2026 Current Est.
$77,896
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bennington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,001 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,249 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,465 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bennington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,630 (2019) to $75,583 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,649 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bennington 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) | $51,221 – $61,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,585 – $77,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,896 – $97,144 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,144 – $110,753 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bennington
There are currently six police officers employed in this area of Vermont, which contributes to a competitive yet stable job market. Given the cost of living index of 103.5, potential officers need to consider how their salaries will translate into real purchasing power in Bennington. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer compelling compensation; however, county sheriff's offices and state police positions may also provide higher pay in some cases. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to various factors including agency type, union contracts, and available overtime opportunities. For those looking to maximize police officer pay in Bennington, pursuing advanced educational opportunities, seeking special unit assignments, and tapping into overtime through dedicated service can yield significant benefits. Understanding these dynamics is critical for officers aiming to optimize their earnings in the future.
More salary data for Bennington, VT:
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 $75,583 for police officersin the Bennington 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 Bennington 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