Police Officer Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $77,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $77,748/year (≈ $37.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $83,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eau Claire, WI, the projected median annual police officer salary for 2026 stands at $77,748, just slightly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers varies significantly, with the lower end at $54,766 and the upper echelon reaching $101,823, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This structural choice in pay reflects the differing funding and budgetary levels between federal, municipal, and state law enforcement, where officers in Eau Claire primarily fall under municipal employment. Given the relatively stable job market with around 310 police officers currently employed in the area, Eau Claire’s pay scale reveals valuable insights into the local law enforcement compensation landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,766 | $26.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,382 | $30.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,748 | $37.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,819 | $40.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,823 | $48.95 |
Median Salary Position
1.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,057 (2026 est.). At $77,748, the local median is 1.01% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Police Officer Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $77,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,568 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.01% less |
Police Officers in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $77,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $77,748 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,784 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,880
2025 BLS Actual
$75,440
2026 Current Est.
$77,748
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,128 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.1% from $58,880 (2019) to $75,440 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,128 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,248 (36.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $54,766 – $64,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,382 – $77,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,748 – $83,819 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,819 – $101,823 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Eau Claire
Examining the local economic conditions, Eau Claire features a cost-of-living index of 92.796, indicating that the purchasing power for officers is advantageous compared to the national average. Among local employers, city departments tend to offer the most competitive pay, while county sheriff offices and state police positions usually follow. The discrepancies in compensation depend on various factors like union contracts, overtime structures, and special unit assignments which can significantly affect earnings. For officers looking to maximize their pay, it can be beneficial to pursue educational advancements that lead to incentive pays, and to seek opportunities for overtime and specialty assignments. Understanding how to navigate these aspects can enhance overall financial well-being in Eau Claire’s law enforcement sector.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 $75,440 for police officersin the Eau Claire 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