Police Officer Salary in South Milwaukee, WI: $76,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in South Milwaukee, WI earns a median $76,518/year (≈ $36.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in South Milwaukee's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $81,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in South Milwaukee are projected to earn a median annual salary of $76,518, slightly less than the national median of $78,542. The salary range varies significantly, from $49,178 at the 10th percentile to $112,109 at the 90th percentile, illustrating that expertise and duties significantly influence pay. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicate that while overall compensation may be slightly below average when compared nationally, the potential for overtime through mandatory court appearances and special details can effectively enhance overall earnings. Understanding the economic dynamics of policing in South Milwaukee can help prospective officers align their career goals and financial expectations with the realities of the job market.
About the South Milwaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,178 | $23.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,669 | $28.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,518 | $36.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,026 | $44.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,109 | $53.90 |
Median Salary Position
2.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Milwaukee
In South Milwaukee, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,931 (2026 est.). At $76,518, the local median is 2.58% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Milwaukee Police Officer Pay Compares
South Milwaukee median: $76,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,545 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -2.58% less |
Police Officers in South Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $76,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,545.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Milwaukee 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.
South Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $76,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,925 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,523
2025 BLS Actual
$74,246
2026 Current Est.
$76,518
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in South Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,523 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,945 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,095 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,417 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,339 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,859 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,523 (2019) to $74,246 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,336 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Milwaukee 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) | $49,178 – $59,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,669 – $76,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,518 – $93,026 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,026 – $112,109 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in South Milwaukee
The local job market in South Milwaukee comprises only six police officers, reflecting a niche yet critical workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4 — below the national average — the purchasing power of officers' salaries may be more favorable than it appears at first glance. Among the local employers, municipal police departments typically pay lower wages than federal law enforcement agencies and even state police. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to a variety of factors including agency type, union contract structures for overtime, special unit assignments, and educational incentive pay. For officers looking to maximize their salary in this specific market, pursuing specialized training to qualify for higher-paying positions, engaging in collaborative overtime agreements, and exploring post-retirement paths in corporate security are practical strategies that can enhance long-term financial stability.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in South Milwaukee, WI in 2026?
Is South Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in South Milwaukee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in South Milwaukee?
How much does a police officer make per hour in South Milwaukee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $74,246 for police officersin the South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee 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