Police Officer Hourly Pay in Meridian, ID: $30.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Meridian, ID runs $30.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,291 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Meridian's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,573 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected police officer hourly pay in Meridian, Idaho, stands at $30.91, which is significantly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This disparity may affect part-time officers or per-diem police workers, as their earnings will fluctuate based on their hours worked in various settings, including patrol vehicles, police booking rooms, and courts. For instance, an officer working three days a week typically in a 24-hour schedule would experience a different financial landscape than full-time counterparts. The hourly rates in Meridian range from $19.88 at the entry level up to $47.91 for top earners, reflecting the different experience and responsibilities across job roles.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.88 | $159.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.35 | $194.82 |
| Median (P50) | $30.91 | $247.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.21 | $313.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.91 | $383.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Meridian
Based on $30.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.91/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Meridian, ID can expect to earn approximately $64,288 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,089. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Meridian.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Meridian
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,236.31 | $5,357 | $64,288 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $741.78 | $3,214 | $38,573 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.52 | $2,143 | $25,715 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Meridian) | $30.91 |
| 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 Meridian, ID earn a median of $64,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.14% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $64,035.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.91/hr = $38,573/year (purchasing power: $40,475).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,288/year (purchasing power: $67,459).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Meridian grew 20.7% from $24.85/hr (2019) to $29.99/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.85/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 Meridian 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 Meridian
For those considering a part-time schedule, a police officer working 24 hours a week would ultimately earn less than full-time officers, translating to reduced annual income while also experiencing a different work-life balance. The per diem police officer pay in Meridian allows for flexibility but carries the downside of lacking benefits that full-time roles provide, such as health insurance and retirement plans. Furthermore, overtime work can range from mandatory requirements like court appearances to optional paid assignments, offering additional earnings potentially at rates $35-$75 per hour. Employment within various agencies, from local municipal police to federal law enforcement, results in diverse hourly rates, revealing significant variation per department. Officers may choose to accept lower pay for comprehensive benefits packages or higher hourly rates lacking such coverage. When negotiating pay, it's key to factor in both base rates and the implications of overtime, especially in Meridian's unique economic environment.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Meridian in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Meridian?
Are police officers in Meridian paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Meridian?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Meridian?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Meridian. 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 Meridian 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