Police Officer Salary in Racine, WI: $80,222 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Racine, WI earns a median $80,222/year (≈ $38.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $83,599 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Racine, Wisconsin, police officer salaries reflect a competitive market for law enforcement professionals. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $80,222, which is slightly above the national median of $78,542, indicating that Racine offers attractive compensation in the policing landscape. Salaries for police officers in the area range from $62,423 at the 10th percentile to $105,101 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variance based on experience, agency type, and responsibilities. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects Racine's context within the broader law enforcement pay structure, where municipality salaries often remain lower than federal counterparts like the FBI, which can pay upwards of $100,000 for specialized roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,423 | $30.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,222 | $38.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,222 | $38.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,859 | $41.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,101 | $50.53 |
Median Salary Position
2.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,678 (2026 est.). At $80,222, the local median is 2.14% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Police Officer Pay Compares
Racine median: $80,222/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,544 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.14% more |
Police Officers in Racine, WI earn a median of $80,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.14% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,544.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $80,222 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,599 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,050
2025 BLS Actual
$77,840
2026 Current Est.
$80,222
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,222 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,677 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 14.4% from $68,050 (2019) to $77,840 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,677 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,627 (21.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $62,423 – $80,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,222 – $80,222 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,222 – $86,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,859 – $105,101 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Racine
Local job dynamics show a workforce of 420 police officers in Racine, translating to a stable employment environment for those entering the field. With a cost-of-living index of 95.961, officers may find their salaries stretch further than in high-cost areas, enhancing take-home purchasing power. While municipal police departments typically offer salaries that mirror these figures, employees seeking higher compensation may consider state police or federal law enforcement positions, as these roles often include additional benefits such as overtime and enhanced pension plans. Varied pay scales reflect factors such as union contract negotiations, shift differentials, and educational incentives—a master's degree can yield a 10% pay increase in many departments. For those looking to maximize their police officer pay in Racine, pursuing specialized units or higher educational qualifications could lead to greater financial rewards and career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Racine, 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 $77,840 for police officersin the Racine 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