Police Officer Salary in River Falls, WI: $75,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in River Falls, WI earns a median $75,893/year (≈ $36.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $81,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is set at $75,893. This figure is slightly below the national median of $78,542, indicating a modest discrepancy in compensation levels when looking at the broader labor market for law enforcement. The local salary range varies significantly, with figures from $47,713 at the 10th percentile to as much as $110,018 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, reflect a competitive environment for law enforcement professionals in River Falls.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,713 | $22.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,391 | $29.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,893 | $36.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,954 | $46.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,018 | $52.89 |
Median Salary Position
3.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,305 (2026 est.). At $75,893, the local median is 3.37% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls Police Officer Pay Compares
River Falls median: $75,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,566 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.37% less |
Police Officers in River Falls, WI earn a median of $75,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,566.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls 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.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $75,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,256 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,020
2025 BLS Actual
$73,640
2026 Current Est.
$75,893
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,431 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,843 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,020 (2019) to $73,640 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,196 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $47,713 – $61,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,391 – $75,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,893 – $95,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,954 – $110,018 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in River Falls
Currently, five police officers are employed within River Falls, showcasing a relatively small yet stable job market for law enforcement in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the purchasing power for officers is slightly above the national average, allowing for more take-home value relative to living expenses. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive wages, although salaries can trend higher in county and federal law enforcement roles with various premium considerations, such as overtime opportunities and special assignments. Factors contributing to the pay gap include the agency type, union contracts that may provide overtime pay, and special units that offer additional stipends. For officers looking to maximize their earnings in River Falls, pursuing educational incentives and seeking positions with overtime potentials are effective strategies to enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for River Falls, 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 $73,640 for police officersin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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