Police Officer Salary in SeaTac, WA: $100,796 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in SeaTac, WA earns a median $100,796/year (≈ $48.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in SeaTac's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $93,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in SeaTac, Washington, is projected to be a median annual figure of $100,796. This salary reflects a wide range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $62,273, while experienced officers can see compensation as high as $152,298. Local salary estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for cost of living, highlight SeaTac's robust pay scale, surpassing the national median of $78,542 by around 28.33%. The potential for overtime, especially from mandatory court appearances and special details, significantly influences earning potential for officers in SeaTac, enabling many to enhance their income beyond the standard salary.
About the SeaTac Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,273 | $29.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,317 | $37.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,796 | $48.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,424 | $59.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,298 | $73.22 |
Median Salary Position
28.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in SeaTac
In SeaTac, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,025 (2026 est.). At $100,796, the local median is 28.33% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in SeaTac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How SeaTac Police Officer Pay Compares
SeaTac median: $100,796/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | SeaTac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,853 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +28.33% more |
Police Officers in SeaTac, WA earn a median of $100,796 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.33% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $102,853.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
SeaTac has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
SeaTac, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,796 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,851 — 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
$81,043
2025 BLS Actual
$97,803
2026 Current Est.
$100,796
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in SeaTac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,043 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,759 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,612 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,796 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,880 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the SeaTac metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $81,043 (2019) to $97,803 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,837 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the SeaTac 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) | $62,273 – $77,317 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,317 – $100,796 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,796 – $124,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,424 – $152,298 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in SeaTac
With only six police officers employed in the SeaTac area, there is a focused job market for law enforcement. The cost of living index sits at 107.4, indicating a slightly elevated cost of living in comparison to the national average. This economic context affects take-home pay, making it essential for officers to strategize effectively. Among SeaTac employers, municipal police departments generally offer the most lucrative pay, with other entities such as federal law enforcement, including agencies like the FBI and TSA, generally providing higher salaries than state and local departments. Variations in compensation stem from factors such as union contracts for overtime, educational incentives, and special assignments that demand additional expertise or skills. Officers looking to maximize their earnings should explore opportunities for specialized training, shift differentials, and potential overtime, positioning themselves advantageously within this competitive local market.
More salary data for SeaTac, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in SeaTac, WA in 2026?
Is SeaTac, WA a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in SeaTac?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in SeaTac?
How much does a police officer make per hour in SeaTac?
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 $97,803 for police officersin the SeaTac 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 SeaTac 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