Police Officer Salary in Seattle, WA: $118,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Seattle, WA earns a median $118,643/year (≈ $57.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $106,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.3% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median police officer salary in Seattle, Washington, is expected to reach $118,643, outperforming the national median of $78,542 by a significant margin of over 51%. The salary range is projected to extend from $97,175 at the 10th percentile to $140,275 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the breadth of pay opportunities available in the city. This data, stemming from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the competitive compensation tailored for law enforcement professionals in an urban environment. The pay scale for police officers in Seattle is influenced by a mix of factors, including the structural differences between federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies, which contribute to varying pay rates across the board.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,175 | $46.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,936 | $50.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,643 | $57.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,835 | $62.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,275 | $67.44 |
Median Salary Position
51.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,100 (2026 est.). At $118,643, the local median is 51.06% above the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be above the median
How Seattle Police Officer Pay Compares
Seattle median: $118,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,899 | +15.30% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +51.06% more |
Police Officers in Seattle, WA earn a median of $118,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.06% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 15.30% above the Washington state average of $102,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,643 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,758 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,220
2025 BLS Actual
$115,120
2026 Current Est.
$118,643
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 32.0% from $87,220 (2019) to $115,120 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,053 (40.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $97,175 – $104,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,936 – $118,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,643 – $130,835 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,835 – $140,275 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Seattle
The job market for police officers in Seattle remains robust, with approximately 4,520 officers currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living, represented by a cost-of-living index of 111.133, suggests that take-home purchasing power may be impacted. Among local employers, federal law enforcement agencies tend to provide the most lucrative positions, typically offering salaries above those of municipal departments, state police, and other local agencies. The disparity between the low and high pay often arises from factors like agency type, overtime structures defined by union contracts, and specialty assignments that command additional stipend pay. For officers aiming to maximize their earnings in Seattle, augmenting education levels, seeking promotional opportunities, and exploring roles in federally managed agencies may lead to substantially better financial outcomes, reflecting the intricate relationship between education, agency prestige, and pay.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 $115,120 for police officersin the Seattle 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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