Police Officer Hourly Pay in Melbourne, FL: $30.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Melbourne, FL runs $30.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,812 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Melbourne's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,290 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Melbourne, FL, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $30.68 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This substantial difference can impact part-time officers or those working per diem, as their income will heavily rely on this hourly rate in various settings, like patrolling assigned beats, working at the police station, or participating in court testimonies. For instance, a part-time officer working three days a week, approximately 24 hours, might find themselves earning a relatively modest income compared to their full-time counterparts. The hourly wages range from $19.14 for entry-level positions (P10) to $45.51 for more experienced officers (P90), reflecting a pay structure that allows individuals to climb the ranks within the department based on experience and specialty.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.14 | $153.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.65 | $189.22 |
| Median (P50) | $30.68 | $245.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.93 | $311.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.51 | $364.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Melbourne
Based on $30.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.68/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Melbourne, FL can expect to earn approximately $63,816 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,817. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Melbourne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Melbourne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,227.24 | $5,318 | $63,816 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $736.34 | $3,191 | $38,290 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.90 | $2,127 | $25,527 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Melbourne) | $30.68 |
| 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 Melbourne, FL earn a median of $63,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 9.50% below the Florida state average of $70,510.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.68/hr = $38,290/year (purchasing power: $37,986).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,816/year (purchasing power: $63,310).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Melbourne grew 20.7% from $24.67/hr (2019) to $29.77/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.62/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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne
Assessing potential earnings reveals a stark contrast for part-time police officers in Melbourne versus full-time employees. For a part-time officer committed to a 24-hour work week, annual earnings could reach around $38,161, significantly less than what a full-time officer earns with mandatory overtime included. Additionally, per diem police officer pay in Melbourne may vary widely, as officers often receive overtime (1.5x their base rate) for court appearances and special details, which could boost their income by 20-50% in many situations. The type of employer also plays a critical role in determining hourly wages; municipal departments, sheriff’s offices, and federal agencies can offer different pay scales. Some officers may even choose roles in private corporate security at the expense of traditional benefits. This trade-off between hourly pay rates and health insurance can influence an officer's choice of employment, especially given the varied benefits negotiated through labor representation like the NLEA and FOP. Adjusting expectations and negotiation strategies can be vital for officers seeking the best possible outcomes in their hourly pay.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Melbourne in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Melbourne?
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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 Melbourne. 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 Melbourne 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