Police Officer Hourly Pay in Gainesville, FL: $31.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Gainesville, FL runs $31.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,979 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.7, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,984 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Police officers in Gainesville, Florida, can expect a median hourly pay of $31.24, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour. This discrepancy may influence the earning potential for part-time and per-diem positions within the local law enforcement framework. Police officers typically work in a variety of settings, from patrolling assigned beats to engaging in special operations like SWAT teams or K-9 units. The hourly rates range from $22.51 for entry-level positions to $40.04 for top earners, reflecting the experience and specialization within the field. Such figures are grounded in official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, ensuring they accurately reflect market conditions for police officer hourly pay in Gainesville.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.51 | $180.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.18 | $201.42 |
| Median (P50) | $31.24 | $249.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.80 | $302.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.04 | $320.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $31.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.24/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, FL can expect to earn approximately $64,974 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,485. With a cost-of-living index of 96.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,249.50 | $5,414 | $64,974 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $749.70 | $3,249 | $38,984 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.80 | $2,166 | $25,990 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Gainesville) | $31.24 |
| 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 Gainesville, FL earn a median of $64,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.27% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.90% below the Florida state average of $70,553.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.24/hr = $38,984/year (purchasing power: $40,301).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,974/year (purchasing power: $67,168).
CoL index: 96.733 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Gainesville grew 48.8% from $20.37/hr (2019) to $30.31/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.19/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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville
Examining the part-time earning potential for a police officer in Gainesville working three days a week highlights the stark contrast in income compared to full-time roles. With a 24-hour work schedule weekly, a part-time officer would take home significantly less than someone working the full 40 hours, leading to financial challenges for those in this structure. Furthermore, police work often requires mandatory overtime for court appearances and special assignments, which can amplify base pay by 20-50%. Off-duty jobs, such as event security, commonly offer rates between $35 to $75 per hour. The type of employer also influences hourly compensation; while municipal departments may offer stability and benefits, other agencies like federal law enforcement typically provide higher pay without benefits. Those deciding between positions must consider the trade-offs, such as higher hourly wages with fewer perks versus lower rates with health insurance. Tactical negotiation strategies are crucial for hourly workers in Gainesville to capitalize on their worth in a competitive labor market.
More salary data for Gainesville, FL:
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 Gainesville. 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