Public Service Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Police Officer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median police officer salary in Rockford, IL is $53,948 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$53,948
vs State Avg
$-8,553
vs National
$-11,842
Cost of Living
82%

Police Officer Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median police officer salary of $53,948, which is $8,553 below the Illinois state average of $62,501. Compared to the national median of $65,790, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $53,948 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $65,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for police officers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for police officers in Rockford spans from $33,128 at the 10th percentile to $86,920 at the 90th percentile — a $53,792 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $34,440, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $80,360. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Police Officer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level police officer earns around $34,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $80,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,440
$-7,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,120
$-11,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$80,360
$-17,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $33,128
25th Percentile $41,984
Median (50th) $53,948
75th Percentile $71,504
90th Percentile $86,920

Police Officer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$71,053
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$70,395
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$62,501
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$55,922
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Police Officer in Rockford

Education

Most police officer positions require a high school diploma. Rockford and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Law EnforcementEmergency ResponseReport WritingDe-escalationPhysical FitnessCommunity Policing

Job Outlook

Nationally, police officer employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Police Officer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open police officer positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Police Officer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median police officer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $53,948 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $33,128 (10th percentile) to $86,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,948, a police officer in Rockford earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for police officer pay? ▼
Rockford's median police officer salary of $53,948 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $62,501. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a police officer salary of $53,948 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Rockford? ▼
Most police officer positions in Rockford require a high school diploma. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Emergency Response, Report Writing, De-escalation. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.