GovernmentUpdated Q1 2026

Police Officer Salary
in Worcester, MA

Enforce laws, investigate crimes, and maintain public order and safety. Median salary in Worcester: $72K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$72K
per year
Take-home: $47K

Salary range in Worcester

Entry level (25th)$53,000
Median (50th)$72,000
Senior (75th)$97,000
Top earner (90th)$127,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Worcester, Massachusetts. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Worcester

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

11% premium vs national median

Police Officers in Worcester earn approximately 11% higher than the US national median for this role — a $7,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Worcester's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Worcester's cost-of-living index (120), the median Police Officer salary buys the equivalent of $60,000 in a US-average-cost city. That's $5,000 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 46% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Worcester ($1,800/mo) consumes approximately 46% of an after-tax median Police Officer salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($97K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Worcester

Median salary
$72K
annual
Take-home pay
$47K
after fed/state tax
COL index
120
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,800
per month
YoY growth
+2.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Worcester Police Officer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $72K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Worcester

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Police Officer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$60K$65K$71K$76K$81K201920212023202520272029
2026
$74K
projected
2027
$76K
projected
2028
$78K
projected
2029
$79K
projected
2030
$81K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$72,000+$0
2028 projected$72,000+$0
2029 projected$72,000+$0
2030 projected$72,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Police Officer Salary in Worcester, Massachusetts: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Police Officer salary in Worcester, MA is $72,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Worcester–MA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Police Officer in Worcester

Entry-level Police Officers in Worcester with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $53,000 and $72,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $72,000 to $97,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $97,000 to $127,000 or more.

Cost of living in Worcester for Police Officers

Worcester has a cost of living index of 120 compared to the US national average of 100. Worcester's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Massachusetts has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Police Officer

Police academy; civil service exam. 0% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Police Officer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Worcester (current)$72K120
Boston$77K162
Springfield$68K105
Cambridge$120K185
Lowell$77K118