Police Officer Hourly Pay in St. Petersburg, FL: $37.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in St. Petersburg, FL runs $37.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,605 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against St. Petersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,560 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A police officer hourly pay in St. Petersburg, Florida, stands at a median of $37.31, slightly below the national hourly median of $37.76. This rate provides a solid foundation for officers working in diverse settings, including patrol assignments, court services, and specialized units. For part-time or per diem police officers, who may work around three days a week, this translates to meaningful earnings while maintaining flexibility. Entry-level officers start from an hourly rate of about $23.39, while experienced officers in specialized roles can reach up to $57.83. These figures are projected estimates based on data from 2025 and reflect the growing demand and competitive nature of law enforcement employment in St. Petersburg.
About the St. Petersburg 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) | $23.39 | $187.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.01 | $232.09 |
| Median (P50) | $37.31 | $298.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.76 | $382.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.83 | $462.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Petersburg
Based on $37.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.31/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Petersburg, FL can expect to earn approximately $77,600 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,769. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in St. Petersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Petersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,492.31 | $6,467 | $77,600 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $895.39 | $3,880 | $46,560 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $596.92 | $2,587 | $31,040 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (St. Petersburg) | $37.31 |
| 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 St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $77,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.19% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 10.00% above the Florida state average of $70,550.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.31/hr = $46,560/year (purchasing power: $46,191).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,600/year (purchasing power: $76,984).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in St. Petersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in St. Petersburg grew 20.7% from $30.00/hr (2019) to $36.20/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.45/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 St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg
Examining part-time earnings, a police officer working just 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $46,499 annually, a notable figure compared to full-time counterparts. The nature of police work often involves mandatory overtime, with rates increasing by 1.5 times for court appearances and special assignments, effectively boosting take-home pay significantly. Furthermore, the variability in hourly pay depending on employer type offers unique opportunities; municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies all present different compensation structures. Some officers opt for positions with higher hourly rates but limited benefits, while others prioritize stability and health insurance, common in municipal roles. Negotiating these terms is essential for both prospective and veteran officers in St. Petersburg, where balancing immediate needs against long-term security can affect career choices and overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg. 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 St. Petersburg 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