Public Service Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Police Officer Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median police officer salary in Cleveland, OH is $56,579 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$56,579
vs State Avg
$-2,632
vs National
$-9,211
Cost of Living
86%

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

Cleveland offers a median police officer salary of $56,579, which is $2,632 below the Ohio state average of $59,211. Compared to the national median of $65,790, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $56,579 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $65,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for police officers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for police officers in Cleveland spans from $34,744 at the 10th percentile to $91,160 at the 90th percentile — a $56,416 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,120, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $84,280. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Police Officer Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level police officer earns around $36,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $84,280 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$56,760
$-9,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $34,744
25th Percentile $44,032
Median (50th) $56,579
75th Percentile $74,992
90th Percentile $91,160

Police Officer Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$62,501
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$59,211
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$55,264
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$53,948
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Police Officer in Cleveland

Education

Most police officer positions require a high school diploma. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio 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 Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Police Officer Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open police officer positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Police Officer make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median police officer salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $56,579 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $34,744 (10th percentile) to $91,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $56,579, a police officer in Cleveland earns approximately $27 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for police officer pay? ▼
Cleveland's median police officer salary of $56,579 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $59,211. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a police officer salary of $56,579 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Cleveland? ▼
Most police officer positions in Cleveland 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.