Police Officer Salary in Waukesha, WI: $85,668 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Waukesha, WI earns a median $85,668/year (≈ $41.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Waukesha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $91,722 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for police officers in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is projected to reach $85,668, reflecting a competitive landscape compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city spans from $52,019 at the 10th percentile to $125,287 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant disparities often shaped by the type of law enforcement agency. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, with adjustments made according to regional price levels, underscoring the importance of understanding local employment conditions. In Waukesha, factors such as the predominance of municipal versus federal roles can significantly influence salary structures, offering insight into what individuals can expect in terms of police officer pay in Waukesha, WI.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,019 | $25.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,966 | $31.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,668 | $41.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,619 | $51.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,287 | $60.24 |
Median Salary Position
9.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukesha
In Waukesha, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,268 (2026 est.). At $85,668, the local median is 9.07% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukesha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukesha Police Officer Pay Compares
Waukesha median: $85,668/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukesha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,515 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +9.07% more |
Police Officers in Waukesha, WI earn a median of $85,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.07% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $80,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukesha 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.
Waukesha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $85,668 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,722 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
$68,879
2025 BLS Actual
$83,124
2026 Current Est.
$85,668
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,486 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,472 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,837 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,124 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,668 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,289 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukesha metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $68,879 (2019) to $83,124 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,289 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,410 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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) | $52,019 – $64,966 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,966 – $85,668 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,668 – $107,619 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,619 – $125,287 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Waukesha
With only 14 police officers currently employed in Waukesha, the job market remains relatively niche, but the competitive salaries do reflect a healthy local demand for law enforcement services. The area's cost of living index sits at 93.4, which is below the national average of 100, indicating that officers’ salaries may stretch further in this region compared to higher-cost locales. Among the various employer types, municipal police departments typically pay closer to the midrange salary, while federal agencies like the FBI can offer higher starting wages. The variance in officer compensation can also stem from factors like agency type, union negotiations, special assignments, and educational incentives. Therefore, police officers looking to maximize their earnings in Waukesha should consider additional training, seek out opportunities in specialized units, and understand the implications of pension structures to effectively negotiate their compensation packages.
More salary data for Waukesha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Waukesha, WI in 2026?
Is Waukesha, WI a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Waukesha?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Waukesha?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Waukesha?
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 $83,124 for police officersin the Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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