Police Officer Salary in Burien, WA: $102,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Burien, WA earns a median $102,385/year (≈ $49.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $95,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Burien, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,385, reflecting a robust position in the local job market compared to the national median of $78,542. The full salary range varies significantly from $66,193 at the 10th percentile to $158,500 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential earnings based on experience and specialization. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and account for local economic conditions and regional price parities. An enticing aspect of the Burien police officer salary structure is its competitiveness, which is notably influenced by the choice between federal, municipal, and state policing roles available in the region, offering officers distinct pathways depending on their career ambitions.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,193 | $31.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,661 | $38.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,385 | $49.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,053 | $63.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,500 | $76.20 |
Median Salary Position
30.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,307 (2026 est.). At $102,385, the local median is 30.36% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Police Officer Pay Compares
Burien median: $102,385/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,899 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +30.36% more |
Police Officers in Burien, WA earn a median of $102,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.36% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $102,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,385 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,331 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,320
2025 BLS Actual
$99,345
2026 Current Est.
$102,385
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,436 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,762 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,222 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,072 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,345 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,518 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $82,320 (2019) to $99,345 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,518 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,198 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $66,193 – $80,661 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,661 – $102,385 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,385 – $131,053 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,053 – $158,500 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Burien
At present, only eight police officers are employed in Burien, highlighting the concentrated nature of law enforcement jobs in this area. The cost of living index, sitting at 107.4, suggests that while salaries can seem appealing, the everyday expenses might require careful financial planning for those serving in this community. Given the landscape of law enforcement compensation, federal agencies tend to offer the highest salaries, following by municipal departments like those in Burien, which are generally more lucrative than state police roles. Factors that contribute to salary disparities in Burien include contract overtime agreements, specialty unit assignments, and educational incentives. Officers seeking to maximize their earnings should consider opportunities for overtime, additional training for specialized roles, and proactive engagement in union negotiations to enhance their compensation packages.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
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 $99,345 for police officersin the Burien 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 Burien 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