Police Officer Salary in Middleton, WI: $74,464 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Middleton, WI earns a median $74,464/year (≈ $35.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Middleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $79,726 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officer salaries in Middleton, Wisconsin, are projected to average $74,464 annually in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation structure given the city's specific economic context. With potential earnings ranging from $50,758 to $107,855, the pay scale illustrates the diversity in officer roles and seniority within the local law enforcement framework. These figures originate from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, highlighting unique local economic conditions. As retirement benefits often hinge on a pension multiplier and longevity, achieving higher tier pay can bear significant long-term advantages, enhancing the overall lifetime earning potential for officers dedicated to their service in Middleton.
About the Middleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,758 | $24.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,176 | $28.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,464 | $35.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,091 | $45.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,855 | $51.85 |
Median Salary Position
5.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middleton
In Middleton, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,097 (2026 est.). At $74,464, the local median is 5.19% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middleton Police Officer Pay Compares
Middleton median: $74,464/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,502 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.19% less |
Police Officers in Middleton, WI earn a median of $74,464 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,502.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middleton has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,464 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,726 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,871
2025 BLS Actual
$72,253
2026 Current Est.
$74,464
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Middleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,137 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,374 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,464 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,743 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middleton metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $59,871 (2019) to $72,253 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,743 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,872 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middleton 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) | $50,758 – $60,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,176 – $74,464 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,464 – $94,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,091 – $107,855 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Middleton
The local job market for police officers features a modest cohort of six employed officers, indicative of a smaller police force where competition for positions may be less intense compared to metropolitan areas. With a cost of living index at 93.4, Middleton offers a lower living expense relative to the national average, allowing for potentially greater take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive rates, while the likelihood of overtime and special unit assignments can significantly enhance total earnings. The disparity in compensation often stems from factors like union-negotiated contracts, the nature of assignments, shift differentials, and educational incentives, which can cumulatively augment salaries. For those looking to maximize their police officer pay in Middleton, focusing on advanced training and consideration of assignments with additional stipends can provide essential pathways toward higher compensation and a more robust retirement plan.
More salary data for Middleton, 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 $72,253 for police officersin the Middleton 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 Middleton 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