Police Officer Salary in University Place, WA: $100,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in University Place, WA earns a median $100,876/year (≈ $48.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $93,926 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in University Place, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $100,876 in 2026. This figure indicates a competitive compensation level, particularly when compared to the national median of $78,542, representing a significant 28.44% advantage for local officers. The salary range for this profession spans from $62,882 at the 10th percentile to $152,325 at the 90th percentile, reflecting considerable variability based on experience, training, and departmental resources. Estimates derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments suggest that University Place's police officer pay offers a compelling choice for those in the law enforcement field, especially when factoring in the local job market's dynamics.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,882 | $30.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,476 | $37.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,876 | $48.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,772 | $59.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,325 | $73.23 |
Median Salary Position
28.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,443 (2026 est.). At $100,876, the local median is 28.44% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Police Officer Pay Compares
University Place median: $100,876/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $102,830 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +28.44% more |
Police Officers in University Place, WA earn a median of $100,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.44% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $102,830.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,876 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,926 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,107
2025 BLS Actual
$97,881
2026 Current Est.
$100,876
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,107 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,177 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,982 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,498 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,963 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $81,107 (2019) to $97,881 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,963 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,856 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $62,882 – $77,476 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,476 – $100,876 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,876 – $124,772 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,772 – $152,325 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in University Place
With only six police officers currently employed in University Place, the local law enforcement landscape is relatively small, which may contribute to the attractiveness of police officer positions in the area. The cost-of-living index is at 107.4, indicating that while salaries are robust, the purchasing power is impacted by living expenses that exceed the national average. In terms of pay disparities within law enforcement careers, federal agencies often provide the greatest salaries, followed by municipal departments, with county sheriff's offices and state police generally offering mid-tier compensation. Factors driving the wide salary range include the type of agency, overtime rates, specialized assignments, and educational incentives. To maximize earnings in University Place, officers may consider seeking specialized training, applying for high-stakes units, and negotiating benefits associated with pension plans.
More salary data for University Place, 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 $97,881 for police officersin the University Place 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 University Place 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