Average Police Officer Salary in Tucson, AZ

The average Police Officer in Tucson, AZ earns $61,063 per year. See how this compares to the national average and what it means for your budget.

Average Salary
$61063
vs. National
8.9% below
Real Pay (COL-adjusted)
$63019

“Real pay” adjusts the average for Tucson’s cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.896, U.S. average = 100) — what this salary is worth in national-average dollars.

What’s this salary worth in another city?

What you earn (or want to compare)

Take-home pay for a Police Officer in Tucson

Estimated pay after federal, FICA, and AZ state taxes (2026). Prefilled with the local average — adjust for your situation.

Estimate only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, federal + FICA + state (single or married filing jointly). Excludes local/city income taxes (e.g., NYC, Philadelphia) and individual credits. See our methodology.

Tucson at a glance

Population543348
Median household income$54546
Median home value$242200
Median rent$1079/mo
Cost of living (RPP, U.S.=100)96.896
Bachelor’s degree or higher17.7%
Poverty rate18%

In Tucson, AZ, Police Officers earn a median of $61,063 a year - about 9% below the U.S. median of $67,000. Among the 50 metros tracked here for this role, that ranks #41.

What that pay is worth in Tucson

Local prices run 97 on the BEA cost-of-living index (U.S. = 100), so a $61,063 salary stretches further than the sticker number - about $63,019 in national-average buying power.

Can Police Officers afford a home in Tucson?

A typical Tucson home runs about $242,200 - 4.0 times the average Police Officer salary, manageable against the classic 3x rule of thumb. Median rent near $1,079/mo takes roughly 21% of gross pay - within the 30% comfort line.

The Police Officer pay ladder in Tucson

Entry-level (10th percentile) Police Officers earn about $34,110; the top 10% reach $79,929 - a $45,819 spread, moderate for this field. Most of that gap comes down to experience, employer, and how hard you negotiate.

Compare Tucson with other cities

See the full Police Officer salary by city ranking to weigh Tucson against the other metros on both pay and cost-adjusted value, or use the cost-of-living calculator to compare any two cities directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Police Officers make in Tucson?

The average Police Officer in Tucson, AZ earns about $61,063 per year, 8.9% below the national average of $67,000.

What is the take-home pay for Police Officers in Tucson after taxes?

After federal and AZ taxes, this $61,063 salary is worth about $49,926 a year - roughly $4,160 a month in take-home pay, an effective tax rate near 18%.

What do the highest-paid Police Officers earn in Tucson?

The top 10% of Police Officers in Tucson earn about $79,929 a year, versus about $34,110 for the bottom 10%.

Can Police Officers afford a home in Tucson?

A typical Tucson home runs about $242,200 - roughly 4.0x this salary, within reach by the classic 3x rule of thumb.

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