Police Officer Salary in Wausau, WI: $80,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Wausau, WI earns a median $80,541/year (≈ $38.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $86,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, police officer salary projections for 2026 indicate a median income of $80,541, presenting a competitive option for those in the law enforcement field. The salary range spans from $60,939 at the 10th percentile to $101,823 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust framework for both entry-level and experienced officers. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the municipal dedication to providing a fair wage within the growing 3.06% annual growth rate over the next five years. For aspiring officers contemplating their career path in Wausau, understanding the financial landscape and potential long-term retirement benefits, aided by appealing pension multiplier formulas, is crucial for making informed decisions in this competitive occupation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,939 | $29.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,316 | $37.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,541 | $38.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,159 | $40.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,823 | $48.95 |
Median Salary Position
2.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,884 (2026 est.). At $80,541, the local median is 2.55% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Police Officer Pay Compares
Wausau median: $80,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $78,542 | +2.55% more |
Police Officers in Wausau, WI earn a median of $80,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.55% higher than the national median of $78,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $80,541 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,929 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,050
2025 BLS Actual
$78,150
2026 Current Est.
$80,541
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 18.3% from $66,050 (2019) to $78,150 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,956 (25.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $60,939 – $77,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,316 – $80,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,541 – $84,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,159 – $101,823 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Wausau
When examining the local job market, Wausau employs approximately 250 police officers, reinforcing a sense of community while offering opportunities for career advancement. The cost of living index stands at 92.651, suggesting that salaries here afford officers a better purchasing power compared to many areas with elevated living costs. Among the local employers, municipal police departments tend to offer competitive salaries, followed by county sheriff's offices. Factors contributing to pay variability include union contracts, special assignments, and the influence of agency types, with federal positions generally commanding higher salaries. Maximizing earning potential might involve seeking specialized roles or pursuing educational incentives, such as advancing to higher academic qualifications, which often yield additional pay increases. Success in navigating Wausau's law enforcement salary landscape can lead to sustainable career growth and financial stability in the long run.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $78,150 for police officersin the Wausau 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