Police Officer Hourly Pay in Golden, CO: $44.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Golden, CO runs $44.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,651 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Golden's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,985 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officer hourly pay in Golden, Colorado, is projected to reach a median rate of $44.06 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $37.76 per hour. This competitive hourly rate means that part-time officers, typically working around three days a week, can earn a notable income while pursuing a career in law enforcement, especially in dynamic settings such as patrol cars, booking rooms, or investigative units. The hourly wage in Golden varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $29.66 and top earners making as much as $63.33 per hour. These figures reflect projections derived from annual salary estimates, showcasing the financial potential for officers in diverse roles and responsibilities across the city.
About the Golden 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) | $29.66 | $237.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.37 | $282.96 |
| Median (P50) | $44.06 | $352.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.47 | $443.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.33 | $506.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Golden
Based on $44.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.06/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Golden, CO can expect to earn approximately $91,641 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,870. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Golden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Golden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,762.33 | $7,637 | $91,641 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,057.40 | $4,582 | $54,985 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $704.93 | $3,055 | $36,656 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Golden) | $44.06 |
| 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 Golden, CO earn a median of $91,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.69% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $99,621.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.06/hr = $54,985/year (purchasing power: $52,366).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,641/year (purchasing power: $87,277).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Golden grew 20.7% from $35.42/hr (2019) to $42.75/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.41/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 Golden 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 Golden
Analyzing the potential earnings for those working part-time, an officer clocking in for a 24-hour week could take home around $54,576 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts who earn a full salary. Per diem police officer pay in Golden can vary significantly, often influenced by department size and funding. Unique to this field, mandatory overtime and various extra-duty assignments frequently result in earnings significantly exceeding base wages, adding 20% to 50% for court appearances or special operations. Additionally, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on whether an officer is employed by a municipal police department, a county sheriff’s office, or federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI. While some may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits and retirement plans, others seek higher wages without benefits, reflecting a common trade-off in this profession. For those negotiating salaries, understanding regional pay dynamics and the importance of labor representation from organizations such as the FOP can provide a strategic advantage.
More salary data for Golden, 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 Golden. 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 Golden 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