Police Officer Hourly Pay in Thornton, CO: $48.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Thornton, CO runs $48.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Thornton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,682 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $48.62, police officers in Thornton, Colorado, enjoy a significant advantage over the national median hourly wage of $37.76. This robust hourly rate allows for greater financial flexibility, especially for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For example, a police officer working just three days a week can still earn a competitive salary. The hourly range for officers in Thornton varies considerably, from $28.41 for entry-level positions to as high as $75.37 for top earners in the field. These rates are drawn from anticipated yearly salaries, reflecting the variety of roles officers fulfill in patrol, investigative work, and courtroom testimonies across the city.
About the Thornton 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) | $28.41 | $227.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.11 | $288.90 |
| Median (P50) | $48.62 | $388.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.24 | $497.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.37 | $602.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thornton
Based on $48.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.62/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thornton, CO can expect to earn approximately $101,137 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,348. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Thornton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thornton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,944.95 | $8,428 | $101,137 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,166.97 | $5,057 | $60,682 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $777.98 | $3,371 | $40,455 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Thornton) | $48.62 |
| 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 Thornton, CO earn a median of $101,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.77% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $99,547.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.62/hr = $60,682/year (purchasing power: $57,793).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,137/year (purchasing power: $96,321).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Thornton grew 20.7% from $39.09/hr (2019) to $47.18/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.11/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 Thornton 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 Thornton
Examining the earning potential for police officers who choose part-time employment reveals that a 24-hour workweek could provide a significant take-home income, impacting overall annual earnings compared to full-time officers. In many cases, police officers receive mandatory overtime pay that can add 20-50% to their base rates, particularly when involved in court appearances or special details. Additionally, supplemental earnings from off-duty assignments—such as event security or private contractor work—commonly range from $35 to $75 per hour. Hourly rates may differ based on the type of employer, with municipal departments typically offering different compensation structures than federal agencies or private security firms. Ultimately, some officers may opt for lower hourly rates with substantial benefits, while others pursue higher pay without the same level of healthcare coverage, representing a choice based on personal priorities and family needs. Negotiating hourly pay in Thornton should involve considerations like these—compounding pay for overtime and the potential income impact of supplemental assignments can prove beneficial for officers striving for optimal financial outcomes.
More salary data for Thornton, 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 Thornton. 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 Thornton 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