Police Officer Hourly Pay in Tempe, AZ: $36.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Tempe, AZ runs $36.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,618 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Tempe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,968 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tempe, Arizona, the police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $36.83 by 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. For officers working part-time—say, three days a week—this translates to roughly $2,961 for a typical month, appealing to those seeking a balanced work-life routine. For per-diem workers, the diverse environments of police work, from patrol duties to court appearances and special operations like SWAT, provide ample opportunities to earn within an hourly range extending from $23.76 at entry-level positions up to $54.94 for top earners. As Tempe's police officers engage in various activities, including report writing, evidence collection, and community outreach, their pay reflects both the demanding nature of their roles and the range of skills required across different assignments.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.76 | $190.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.04 | $232.34 |
| Median (P50) | $36.83 | $294.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.73 | $373.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.94 | $439.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tempe
Based on $36.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.83/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tempe, AZ can expect to earn approximately $76,614 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,200. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tempe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tempe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,473.35 | $6,384 | $76,614 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $884.01 | $3,831 | $45,968 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.34 | $2,554 | $30,646 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Tempe) | $36.83 |
| 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 Tempe, AZ earn a median of $76,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $76,313.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.83/hr = $45,968/year (purchasing power: $46,668).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,614/year (purchasing power: $77,781).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Tempe grew 20.7% from $29.62/hr (2019) to $35.74/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.96/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 Tempe 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 Tempe
Beyond the basic hourly earnings, officers considering part-time roles must weigh several factors against full-time positions. For those working part-time, a police officer on a 24-hour weekly schedule could expect to earn around $154,398 annually, considerably lower than the annualized full-time equivalent. Many police officers in Tempe also benefit from overtime pay, which can significantly enhance their hourly earnings—often increasing by 20-50% during court appearances or special assignments. Additionally, different employer types in Tempe—ranging from municipal city departments to federal law enforcement agencies—can offer varied compensation structures. While some officers may choose positions with a lower hourly rate in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, others may pursue higher earning potentials in private security roles after retirement. Officers should also keep practical negotiation tips in mind; knowing the local pay standards and being transparent about their qualifications during discussions can lead to favorable outcomes in hourly arrangements for police officer hourly pay in Tempe.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
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 Tempe. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tempe is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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