Public Service Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Police Officer Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median police officer salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $61,185 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$61,185
vs State Avg
$-1,973
vs National
$-4,605
Cost of Living
93%

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

Pittsburgh offers a median police officer salary of $61,185, which is $1,973 below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,158. Compared to the national median of $65,790, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh's cost of living is 93% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for police officers in Pittsburgh spans from $37,572 at the 10th percentile to $98,580 at the 90th percentile — a $61,008 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,060, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $91,140. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Police Officer Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level police officer earns around $39,060, while experienced professionals earn up to $91,140 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,060
$-2,940 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$61,380
$-4,620 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$91,140
$-6,860 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $37,572
25th Percentile $47,616
Median (50th) $61,185
75th Percentile $81,096
90th Percentile $98,580

Police Officer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$67,106
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$61,843
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$57,895
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$55,264
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Police Officer in Pittsburgh

Education

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

Find Police Officer Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open police officer positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Police Officer make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median police officer salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $61,185 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $37,572 (10th percentile) to $98,580 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $61,185, a police officer in Pittsburgh earns approximately $29 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for police officer pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median police officer salary of $61,185 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,158. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a police officer salary of $61,185 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most police officer positions in Pittsburgh 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.