What officers employed by the Essex County government are paid in base salary, and how long they have served, from the state's pension records. The file does not say which are sheriff's officers, corrections officers or investigators, so all are counted together.
Middle base salary, all ranks, as of June 30, 2026
$115,688
Half of the department's 985 officers earn more than this and half earn less. Overtime is not included.
Pay and experience at Essex County law enforcement
Officers
985
In the police pension fund at this department, all ranks.
Middle half of salaries
$92,333 to $126,226
A quarter of officers earn less than the first figure and a quarter earn more than the second.
Lower and upper end
$67,426 to $141,538
One officer in ten earns less than the first figure, and one in ten more than the second.
Middle years of service
11
258 of 985 officers have under 5 years. 166 have 20 or more.
Middle salary: 19th of 23 in Essex County
Essex County law enforcement against the departments nearest to it.
638 of 985 officers joined the police pension fund after June 28, 2011, so they are in Tier 3.
Tier 3, joined after June 2011638
Tier 2, joined 2010 to 201119
Tier 1, joined by May 2010328
The tier is set by the date an officer joined the fund: Tier 1 on or before May 21, 2010, Tier 2 after May 21, 2010, and on or before June 28, 2011, Tier 3 after June 28, 2011.
What an officer pays in
10 percent of base salary.
Retiring after 25 years, Tier 3
60% of final compensation, plus 1% for each year over 25 up to 30 years. Maximum 65%.
Retiring after 25 years, Tier 1 and 2
65% of final compensation, plus 1% for each year over 25 up to 30 years. Maximum 70%.
How much does a Essex County law enforcement officer make?
The middle officer at Essex County law enforcement had a base salary of $115,688 as of June 30, 2026. The middle half of its 985 officers earned between $92,333 and $126,226. That counts every rank and leaves out overtime.
How many officers does Essex County law enforcement have?
985 officers were in the police pension fund at this department as of June 30, 2026.
How experienced are Essex County law enforcement officers?
The middle officer has 11 years of service. 258 of 985 have under 5 years and 166 have 20 or more.
What this is: the salary each officer earns toward a pension, as their employer reported it to the state for the four most recent quarters before June 30, 2026. It is base salary for every rank from new officer to chief. The state file has no job titles, no overtime and no total pay, so a department with many senior officers shows a higher middle salary.