Police Officer Hourly Pay in Anchorage, AK: $56.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Anchorage, AK runs $56.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,540 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Anchorage's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,126 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Anchorage police officers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $56.99, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This considerable difference reflects the competitive nature of law enforcement salaries in Alaska, which support both full-time and part-time work options. For those working part-time at three days a week, the pay translates to efficient earning potential, particularly for those who may be involved in various roles like patrol duties, report writing, or court appearances. Those entering the workforce can expect to see starting hourly rates around $39.76, while experienced officers in specialized units could reach up to $65.59 per hour. Such hourly pay rates are essential for both retention and recruitment, emphasizing Anchorage's commitment to maintaining an effective police force, as reported in the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.76 | $318.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.85 | $390.80 |
| Median (P50) | $56.99 | $455.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.67 | $501.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.59 | $524.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anchorage
Based on $56.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.99/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anchorage, AK can expect to earn approximately $118,544 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,391. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Anchorage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anchorage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,279.69 | $9,879 | $118,544 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,367.81 | $5,927 | $71,126 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $911.87 | $3,951 | $47,417 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Anchorage) | $56.99 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Anchorage, AK earn a median of $118,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.93% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 42.20% above the Alaska state average of $83,361.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.99/hr = $71,126/year (purchasing power: $67,469).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,544/year (purchasing power: $112,449).
CoL index: 105.42 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Anchorage grew 24.4% from $44.44/hr (2019) to $55.30/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.74/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anchorage metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Anchorage
When considering the financial implications of part-time and per-diem work in law enforcement, the earnings for a three-day workweek can make a substantial difference. A police officer working 24 hours weekly might see a take-home pay that allows for a comfortable living in Anchorage, especially given the higher-than-average cost of living index. Due to the nature of police work, officers often earn additional pay through mandatory overtime for court duties or special assignments, which can effectively boost base earnings by 20% to 50%. Depending on the employer—municipal police departments, state patrol, or federal agencies—hourly rates can vary considerably. Additionally, benefits packages often drive the wage choices police officers make, weighing higher hourly pay against health insurance and retirement options. Understanding local negotiation strategies, such as leveraging shift preferences for higher pay opportunities or pursuing per diem police officer pay in Anchorage, is crucial for maximizing earnings in this profession.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Anchorage. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov