Police Officer Salary in Mountlake Terrace, WA: $95,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Mountlake Terrace, WA earns a median $95,226/year (≈ $45.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Mountlake Terrace's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $88,665 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Mountlake Terrace is projected to reach a median annual figure of $95,226, significantly outpacing the national median of $78,542 by approximately 21.24%. The salary range for police officers in the area reflects a broad spectrum of compensation, from $65,118 at the 10th percentile to $138,158 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, outline a competitive pay structure influenced by the type of law enforcement agency, local cost of living, and market conditions. Mountlake Terrace's municipal police positions offer opportunities that bridge the gap between local and federal law enforcement finances, making it an attractive career choice for those entering the field in WA.
About the Mountlake Terrace Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,118 | $31.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,105 | $37.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,226 | $45.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,468 | $57.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,158 | $66.42 |
Median Salary Position
21.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountlake Terrace
In Mountlake Terrace, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,040 (2026 est.). At $95,226, the local median is 21.24% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mountlake Terrace: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mountlake Terrace Police Officer Pay Compares
Mountlake Terrace median: $95,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mountlake Terrace Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,836 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +21.24% more |
Police Officers in Mountlake Terrace, WA earn a median of $95,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.24% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 7.40% below the Washington state average of $102,836.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mountlake Terrace has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mountlake Terrace, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $95,226 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,665 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$76,565
2025 BLS Actual
$92,399
2026 Current Est.
$95,226
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Mountlake Terrace (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,565 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,462 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,766 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,634 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,494 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,140 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mountlake Terrace metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $76,565 (2019) to $92,399 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,140 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,575 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountlake Terrace 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) | $65,118 – $77,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,105 – $95,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,226 – $120,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,468 – $138,158 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Mountlake Terrace
The job market for law enforcement in Mountlake Terrace comprises just four police officers, indicating a tightly knit community of patrol personnel. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing power of local salaries can be impacted, suggesting that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in other regions. Among potential employers, municipal departments typically provide consistent pay, with federal positions like the FBI and DEA offering the highest salaries due to their robust benefits packages and overtime incentives. Pay disparities arise from factors such as agency type, union agreements, and special assignments, which can include overtime for high-demand roles like K-9 units or detectives. To maximize earnings in this market, officers should consider education incentives, additional certifications, and seeking assignments that offer shift differentials or overtime opportunities, thus enhancing their overall compensation within the Mountlake Terrace framework.
More salary data for Mountlake Terrace, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Mountlake Terrace, WA in 2026?
Is Mountlake Terrace, WA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Mountlake Terrace?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Mountlake Terrace?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Mountlake Terrace?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $92,399 for police officersin the Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace 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