Police Officer Hourly Pay in Bear, DE: $33.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Bear, DE runs $33.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,419 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Bear's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,251 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected police officer hourly pay in Bear, Delaware for 2026 is $33.86, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This difference can affect both part-time officers working about three days a week and those seeking per diem positions within various settings, such as patrol vehicles, police stations, and during court testimonies. For entry-level officers in Bear, hourly pay may start around $22.26, while experienced professionals could earn up to $46.90 per hour, allowing for a broad spectrum of financial opportunities in the local law enforcement landscape. While these figures derive from annual salary estimates, they reflect the critical role hourly compensation plays in recruitment and retention of officers in this region.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.26 | $178.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.76 | $214.12 |
| Median (P50) | $33.86 | $270.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.55 | $332.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.90 | $375.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bear
Based on $33.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.86/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bear, DE can expect to earn approximately $70,419 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,626. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bear.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bear
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,354.21 | $5,868 | $70,419 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $812.53 | $3,521 | $42,251 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $541.68 | $2,347 | $28,168 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Bear) | $33.86 |
| 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 Bear, DE earn a median of $70,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.34% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $73,506.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.86/hr = $42,251/year (purchasing power: $41,545).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,419/year (purchasing power: $69,242).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Bear grew 20.7% from $27.22/hr (2019) to $32.85/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.89/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 Bear 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 Bear
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time officers in Bear reveals interesting dynamics. A police officer working three days a week for 24 hours annually would take home a significantly lower amount than a full-time counterpart, who may also benefit from overtime opportunities. Mandatory overtime often attached to court appearances or special shifts can substantially boost income, sometimes increasing earnings by 20-50%. Depending on the employer—whether municipal, state, or federal—hourly rates can vary dramatically. Some officers might accept lower hourly wages for comprehensive health benefits, while others may seek higher hourly pay without benefits from agencies or through per diem work, sometimes commanding rates between $35-$75 per hour for extra-duty assignments. Negotiating effectively is key in Bear due to these varying pay structures, with potential earnings shaped significantly by the type of police work and the choice of employment structure.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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 Bear. 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 Bear 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