Police Officer Salary in Lander, WY: $61,431 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Lander, WY earns a median $61,431/year (≈ $29.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Lander's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $64,124 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lander, Wyoming, the landscape of police officer compensation presents a nuanced picture. The median salary for a police officer in this area is projected to reach $61,431 by 2026, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $78,542. Local salaries can vary greatly, with a range extending from $40,135 at the lower end to $87,353 for those in the top percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the realities of working in a smaller community where municipal police officers often earn less than their counterparts in federal positions. This disparity underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing their roles against financial considerations, especially in a city like Lander where the job market remains relatively tight, with only four police officers currently employed.
About the Lander Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,135 | $19.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,573 | $23.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,431 | $29.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,617 | $36.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,353 | $42.00 |
Median Salary Position
21.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lander
In Lander, WY, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,218 (2026 est.). At $61,431, the local median is 21.79% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lander: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lander Police Officer Pay Compares
Lander median: $61,431/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lander Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $64,124 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -21.79% less |
Police Officers in Lander, WY earn a median of $61,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.79% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.20% below the Wyoming state average of $64,124.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lander has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lander, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $61,431 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,124 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% 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
$49,392
2025 BLS Actual
$59,607
2026 Current Est.
$61,431
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Lander (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,392 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,262 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,534 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,533 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,607 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,431 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lander metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $49,392 (2019) to $59,607 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,919 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lander 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) | $40,135 – $48,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,573 – $61,431 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,431 – $76,617 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,617 – $87,353 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Lander
Examining the dynamics in Lander, the local job market shows a limited number of positions that can influence salaries. With a cost-of-living index at 95.8, officers may find their take-home pay stretched further compared to areas with a higher cost of living. Among employers in the region, municipal police departments typically have the most available positions but may not offer the highest salaries; outside agencies like federal law enforcement can provide significantly better compensation. Factors such as agency type, overtime structure, and special assignments impact the pay scale. For those looking to maximize their police officer pay in Lander, pursuing specialized training or overtime opportunities could be beneficial. Engaging with local law enforcement organizations can also provide insights into potential benefits that come with shifts or seniority, which may lead to increased earnings over time.
More salary data for Lander, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Lander, WY in 2026?
Is Lander, WY a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Lander?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Lander?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Lander?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wyoming
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 $59,607 for police officersin the Lander 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 Lander 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