Police Officer Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $41.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Waterbury, CT runs $41.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,365 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,216 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, Connecticut, police officers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $41.04 by 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $37.76. This favorable rate can significantly benefit those working in part-time capacities, such as officers available three days a week, enabling them to engage in diverse tasks from patrolling streets in marked vehicles to crafting reports at the precinct. For per-diem officers, the flexibility of their schedule allows them to take on various assignments across multiple venues, including court testimony or emergency operations. The hourly pay ranges from $34.50 at the tenth percentile to $51.82 at the ninetieth percentile, providing a clear pathway from entry-level positions up to the highest-paid officers within the department, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.50 | $276.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.31 | $314.46 |
| Median (P50) | $41.04 | $328.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.79 | $350.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.82 | $414.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $41.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.04/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $85,360 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,246. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,641.54 | $7,113 | $85,360 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $984.92 | $4,268 | $51,216 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $656.62 | $2,845 | $34,144 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Waterbury) | $41.04 |
| 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 Waterbury, CT earn a median of $85,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.69% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.20% above the Connecticut state average of $85,194.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.04/hr = $51,216/year (purchasing power: $51,330).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,360/year (purchasing power: $85,550).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Waterbury grew 14.1% from $34.91/hr (2019) to $39.82/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.29/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 Waterbury 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 Waterbury
For those considering part-time or per diem police work in Waterbury, the financial landscape can vary. An officer working 24 hours a week may see a significantly different annual compensation compared to full-time peers, primarily if they capitalize on overtime opportunities, which can add 20-50% to their base pay when covering court appearances, special assignments, or shift extensions. Additionally, off-duty assignments, often available at rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, may provide supplementary income. Waterbury's law enforcement officers can find hourly pay influenced by their employer type—municipal departments versus state or federal positions—each with distinct benefits and pay structures. Some law enforcement professionals may accept positions that offer lower hourly rates but come with health benefits, while others may prioritize higher pay without the safety net of insurance coverage. Officers looking to maximize their earnings should be prepared to negotiate based on their experience and the unique offerings of various departments across CT.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
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 Waterbury. 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