City police · Colorado · 2026
Denver Police Department pay scale Police Officer 4th Grade · Denver
A police officer 4th grade with Denver Police Department starts at $81,046 and reaches $115,780 at top step (2026).
Base pay only. Overtime, longevity and incentive pay are extra.
Key figures
- Academy pay
- $75,257
- Starting pay
- $81,046
- After probation
- Not in our data
- Top step
- $115,780
- Years to top
- 3.5 years
Annual rates as published on the Denver Police recruiting page.
Police Officer 4th Grade step table
| Step | Years | Published rate | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit | — | $75,257 | $75,257 |
| 4th Grade | — | $81,046 | $81,046 |
| 3rd Grade | — | $86,835 | $86,835 |
| 2nd Grade | — | $92,624 | $92,624 |
| 1st Grade | — | $115,780 | $115,780 |
Pay by rank
| Rank | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Technician | $123,885 | $123,885 |
| Detective/Corporal | $127,358 | $127,358 |
| Sergeant | $138,936 | $138,936 |
| Lieutenant | $158,619 | $158,619 |
Incentive pay
- Education incentive (depends on degree): up to $150/month
Notes
Recruits are paid from day one of the academy through graduation. The page states top pay is reached in three years and six months. Longevity pay starts at five years.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting salary for a Denver Police Department police officer 4th grade?
Base pay starts at $81,046 a year under the 2026 schedule, before overtime and incentives. Annual rates as published on the Denver Police recruiting page.
How much does a Denver Police Department police officer 4th grade make at top step?
Top-step base pay is $115,780 a year, reached after about 3.5 years on the schedule. Longevity, overtime and incentive pay are extra.
Are Denver Police Department recruits paid during the academy?
Yes. The official source gives academy pay of $75,257 a year.
Sources and last checked
Last verified
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