Police Officer Hourly Pay in Durango, CO: $44.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Durango, CO runs $44.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,306 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Durango's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $42.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,988 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Durango, Colorado, are expected to earn a median hourly wage of $44.86 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This robust pay reflects the unique demands of law enforcement in a city that balances urban and rural elements. For part-time officers working three days a week or those involved in per diem police officer roles, this hourly rate means solid earnings while balancing other commitments. Officers often operate in varied environments, including patrol vehicles, police stations, and special operations areas. The hourly range extends from $31.59 at the entry level to $64.56 for the most experienced personnel, showcasing a competitive wage structure that is derived from projected annual salary data.
About the Durango Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.59 | $252.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.99 | $295.91 |
| Median (P50) | $44.86 | $358.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.77 | $438.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.56 | $516.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durango
Based on $44.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.86/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durango, CO can expect to earn approximately $93,313 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,834. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Durango.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durango
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,794.48 | $7,776 | $93,313 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,076.69 | $4,666 | $55,988 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $717.79 | $3,110 | $37,325 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Durango) | $44.86 |
| 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 Durango, CO earn a median of $93,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.80% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $99,580.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.86/hr = $55,988/year (purchasing power: $53,322).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,313/year (purchasing power: $88,870).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Durango grew 20.7% from $36.07/hr (2019) to $43.53/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.23/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 Durango 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 Durango
When considering part-time work, a police officer in Durango taking on a 24-hour workweek could expect to earn about $55,200 annually, compared to full-time officers who command higher and more stable incomes. Per diem arrangements in this field may include opportunities for extra-duty assignments where officers earn between $35 and $75 an hour, depending on location and nature of the work. It is common for police institutions to offer overtime pay at 1.5 times the base rate, especially for court appearances or special details, which can amplify earnings by 20-50%. Furthermore, pay can vary by department type, with municipal police typically offering different compensation structures compared to federal agencies, such as the FBI or DEA. Officers often weigh the option of accepting lower hourly rates paired with extensive benefits against potentially higher pay without health insurance. For those negotiating hourly pay in Durango, emphasizing specialized skills gained from training could further enhance earnings potential in this dynamic law enforcement environment.
More salary data for Durango, CO:
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 Durango. 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 Durango 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