Police Officer Salary in Puyallup, WA: $98,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Puyallup, WA earns a median $98,498/year (≈ $47.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Puyallup's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $91,711 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Puyallup, Washington, police officer salaries reflect a robust compensation framework, with a projected median annual salary of $98,498 in 2026. This figure indicates a substantial 25.41% increase compared to the national median of $78,542, highlighting the competitive nature of police officer pay in Puyallup, WA. The salary range for officers in this locale spans from $65,649 at the lower percentile to $144,422 for those at the higher end, underscoring the potential for variability based on experience and assignment. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, factor in local economic conditions and regional cost adjustments, which are crucial for understanding the local labor market. The structure of law enforcement agencies—ranging from municipal departments to federal agencies—also significantly influences the earning potential for police officers in the area, contributing to the overall dynamics of police officer salary in Puyallup.
About the Puyallup Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,649 | $31.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,789 | $37.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,498 | $47.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,076 | $60.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,422 | $69.43 |
Median Salary Position
25.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Puyallup
In Puyallup, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,773 (2026 est.). At $98,498, the local median is 25.41% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Puyallup: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Puyallup Police Officer Pay Compares
Puyallup median: $98,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Puyallup Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,816 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +25.41% more |
Police Officers in Puyallup, WA earn a median of $98,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.41% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $102,816.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Puyallup has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Puyallup, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,498 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,711 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,195
2025 BLS Actual
$95,573
2026 Current Est.
$98,498
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Puyallup (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,506 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,644 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,573 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,512 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puyallup metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $79,195 (2019) to $95,573 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,317 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puyallup 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) | $65,649 – $78,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,789 – $98,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,498 – $126,076 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,076 – $144,422 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Puyallup
When examining the job market for police officers in Puyallup, the presence of only 10 officers employed locally brings a unique context to salary discussions. The cost of living index in Puyallup stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power for officers. Among the employers in the area, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, though federal agencies outperform in terms of pay scale. Factors such as union contracts, overtime pay structures, special unit assignments, and educational incentives all contribute to the disparity between the lowest and highest earning positions within the law enforcement community. To maximize pay, aspiring officers should seek out positions that offer opportunities for specialty assignments or overtime, while considering educational advancement to improve qualifications.
More salary data for Puyallup, 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 $95,573 for police officersin the Puyallup 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 Puyallup 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