Police Officer Salary in Ellensburg, WA: $98,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Ellensburg, WA earns a median $98,128/year (≈ $47.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Ellensburg's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $91,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ellensburg, WA, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is $98,128, which is significantly above the national median of $78,542. This upper-tier compensation reflects both the vital role of law enforcement in the community and the economic influences unique to the region. The salary range for police officers spans from $63,762 at the lower 10th percentile to $138,678 at the 90th percentile, providing a competitive pay structure that rewards experience and specialization. Given the estimated costs derived from BLS data and local price parity considerations, Ellensburg's police salaries are indicative of the area’s overall labor market dynamics.
About the Ellensburg Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,762 | $30.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,025 | $37.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,128 | $47.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,854 | $58.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,678 | $66.67 |
Median Salary Position
24.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,916 (2026 est.). At $98,128, the local median is 24.94% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ellensburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ellensburg Police Officer Pay Compares
Ellensburg median: $98,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellensburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,859 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +24.94% more |
Police Officers in Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $98,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.94% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $102,859.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellensburg has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellensburg, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,128 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,367 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,897
2025 BLS Actual
$95,214
2026 Current Est.
$98,128
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,897 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,883 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,721 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,196 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,304 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,130 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellensburg metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $78,897 (2019) to $95,214 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,130 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,233 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellensburg 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) | $63,762 – $77,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,025 – $98,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,128 – $121,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,854 – $138,678 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Ellensburg
The local job market for police officers includes a small cadre of six employed in the area, which aggregates some of the challenges and advantages of working in a relatively rural setting. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, take-home pay might experience pressure, but this is mitigated by opportunities for overtime, particularly in special assignments or court-related duties. Employers vary in compensation, with municipal departments typically offering less compared to state police and federal agencies, which can provide higher pay and benefits. Pay disparity is often influenced by agency type, which includes factors such as union contract stipulations on overtime, special unit roles, and educational incentives. In a market like Ellensburg, officers looking to maximize earnings should consider roles involving dedicated assignments or further training, as well as explore shifts that qualify for additional premium pay, ensuring that their skills translate into effective compensation amidst the varying economic landscapes.
More salary data for Ellensburg, 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 $95,214 for police officersin the Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg 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