Public Safety · Philadelphia, PA

Police Officer Salary in Philadelphia, PA (2026)

Median Police Officer salary in Philadelphia is approximately $70,400/year — 2.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Philadelphia

$70,400
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$34
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,708
Monthly
$5,867
Annual (gross)
$70,400
vs Pennsylvania state average
State avg: $66,900
+$3,500
vs US national
National median: $69,000
+$1,400

After-tax estimate

$48,998
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$70,400
Federal tax (~14%)
−$9,856
FICA (7.65%)
−$5,386
Pennsylvania state tax
~5% effective
−$3,520
Philadelphia local tax (3.75%)
−$2,640
Estimated take-home
$48,998
Monthly take-home
$4,083
For exact take-home, use our Philadelphia Paycheck Calculator.
Police Officer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Philadelphia
Phoenix, AZ1.02×$70,400+$0
Atlanta, GA1.02×$70,400+$0
Tampa, FL1.02×$70,400+$0
Henderson, NV1.02×$70,400+$0
Reno, NV1.02×$70,400+$0
Other Public Safety jobs in Philadelphia

Police Officer salaries in Philadelphia, PA

The estimated median Police Officer salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $70,400/year, working out to approximately $34/hour at full-time, $2,708 per biweekly paycheck, or $5,867/month before taxes. Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.02× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Pennsylvania state average for this role ($66,900), Philadelphia pays about $3,500 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Philadelphia

Of the gross $70,400, you take home roughly $48,998 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Pennsylvania state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Philadelphia local tax: 3.75% — significant for Philadelphia workers

That works out to about $4,083/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Philadelphia Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Philadelphia pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Philadelphia typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Philadelphia employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Police Officer Salary in Pennsylvania — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Philadelphia Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Police Officer salary in Philadelphia?
The estimated median Police Officer salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $70,400 per year, or approximately $34/hour at standard full-time. Philadelphia sits 2.0% above the US national average for this role.
Philadelphia vs Pennsylvania state — what's the salary difference?
Philadelphia: $70,400. Pennsylvania state average for Police Officer: $66,900. Difference: +$3,500 (5.2%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Philadelphia have a city income tax?
Yes — Philadelphia levies a local income tax of approximately 3.75% on top of federal and Pennsylvania state taxes. This affects take-home pay calculations significantly.
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Philadelphia's cost of living relative to the US average. Philadelphia's multiplier is 1.02× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Police Officer in Philadelphia?
Estimate: $48,998/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Pennsylvania state tax (~5.0% effective), and Philadelphia local tax (3.75%). For exact numbers, use the Philadelphia Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.