Police Officer Hourly Pay in Panama City, FL: $29.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Panama City, FL runs $29.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Panama City's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,322 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Panama City, FL, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $29.10, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate affects various work arrangements, including part-time roles like those typically involving a three-day work week, where employees would earn around $696 weekly. The range for police officer pay in the area spans from $22.54 for entry-level positions to as much as $43.06 for experienced officers in specialized units or leadership roles. These figures are derived from official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect the local market dynamics influencing police officer hourly pay in Panama City.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.54 | $180.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.29 | $218.32 |
| Median (P50) | $29.10 | $232.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.31 | $258.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.06 | $344.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Panama City
Based on $29.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.10/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Panama City, FL can expect to earn approximately $60,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,925. With a cost-of-living index of 97.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Panama City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Panama City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.17 | $5,045 | $60,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.50 | $3,027 | $36,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.67 | $2,018 | $24,215 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Panama City) | $29.10 |
| 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 Panama City, FL earn a median of $60,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.91% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 14.20% below the Florida state average of $70,568.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.10/hr = $36,322/year (purchasing power: $37,331).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,537/year (purchasing power: $62,219).
CoL index: 97.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Panama City grew 39.0% from $20.32/hr (2019) to $28.24/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.99/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 Panama City 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 Panama City
For part-time police officers working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay contrasts starkly with that of full-time counterparts, who consistently see increased earnings due to mandatory overtime, often adding 20-50% to base pay through court appearances and special details. Furthermore, off-duty or extra-duty assignments in Panama City can yield $35-$75 per hour, which is particularly appealing for those seeking additional income. Officers' hourly pay can vary depending on their employer, ranging from municipal departments to federal positions, with the latter generally offering better pay scales and benefits. In negotiating salaries, prospective candidates should consider the balance between hourly rates and benefits like health insurance, which can influence overall compensation. Understanding the local police employment landscape can guide officers as they assess offers and make career decisions.
More salary data for Panama City, 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 Panama City. 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