Police Officer Hourly Pay in Punta Gorda, FL: $34.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Punta Gorda, FL runs $34.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,833 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Punta Gorda's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,100 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Punta Gorda, FL, the hourly pay for police officers is projected to be $34.54 in 2026, placing it approximately 8.54% below the national average of $37.76 per hour. This rate impacts officers working three days a week, allowing for a flexible earning structure that is particularly beneficial for part-time workers. In various roles, from patrolling assigned beats to conducting police-related duties at the station or court, the hourly earnings can vary significantly. Newer officers at entry-level positions may start at around $26.09, while seasoned professionals can command up to $34.54. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data provides a solid overview of the remuneration landscape for officers in Punta Gorda, reflecting the range of experiences and responsibilities involved in policing.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.09 | $208.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.10 | $248.83 |
| Median (P50) | $34.54 | $276.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.54 | $276.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.54 | $276.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Punta Gorda
Based on $34.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.54/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Punta Gorda, FL can expect to earn approximately $71,834 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,442. With a cost-of-living index of 100.53 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Punta Gorda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Punta Gorda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,381.42 | $5,986 | $71,834 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $828.85 | $3,592 | $43,100 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $552.57 | $2,394 | $28,733 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Punta Gorda) | $34.54 |
| 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 Punta Gorda, FL earn a median of $71,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.80% above the Florida state average of $70,563.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.54/hr = $43,100/year (purchasing power: $42,875).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,834/year (purchasing power: $71,458).
CoL index: 100.525 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Punta Gorda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Punta Gorda grew 34.7% from $24.88/hr (2019) to $33.51/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.59/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 Punta Gorda 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 Punta Gorda
Examining part-time earning potential, an officer working 24 hours a week in Punta Gorda might take home about $44,000 annually, a figure that stands in contrast to full-time counterparts who can earn significantly more. Per diem police officer pay in Punta Gorda can be attractive, especially with opportunities for overtime, which often pays time-and-a-half during court appearances or special assignments. Such roles can easily boost an officer's income by 20-50% through extra hours and specialized duties. Pay rates also fluctuate based on employer types; for instance, municipal departments usually offer lower hourly wages compared to federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI, which pay higher due to the specialized skill set and responsibilities. Some police officers opt for positions with higher hourly rates but fewer benefits, weighing the trade-off against solid health insurance options offered in public sector roles. Officers familiar with the local pay dynamics are often better positioned to negotiate better hourly rates while considering the unique financial implications of their work in Punta Gorda.
More salary data for Punta Gorda, 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 Punta Gorda. 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