Police Officer Hourly Pay in Arlington Heights, IL: $38.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Arlington Heights, IL runs $38.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,792 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Arlington Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,476 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, Illinois, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $38.84, which is slightly above the national average hourly median of $37.76. This competitive rate allows police officers in the area to maintain a viable income, whether they are working full-time or taking a part-time approach, such as a three-day workweek. For those in part-time positions—often covering specific shifts or assisting with events—the estimated earnings can vary significantly across various job settings, including patrol duties, booking procedures, or carrying out investigations as a detective. Ranging from entry-level positions starting at $25.54 to seasoned professionals earning as much as $59.25 per hour, the pay scale reflects both the responsibilities taken on and the experience level of officers within the department.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.54 | $204.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.92 | $247.34 |
| Median (P50) | $38.84 | $310.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.72 | $397.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.25 | $473.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington Heights
Based on $38.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.84/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington Heights, IL can expect to earn approximately $80,794 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,612. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,553.73 | $6,733 | $80,794 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $932.24 | $4,040 | $48,476 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $621.49 | $2,693 | $32,318 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Arlington Heights) | $38.84 |
| 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 Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $80,792 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.86% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $82,106.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.84/hr = $48,476/year (purchasing power: $49,924).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,794/year (purchasing power: $83,207).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Arlington Heights grew 20.7% from $31.23/hr (2019) to $37.69/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.03/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 Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights
When assessing the financial landscape for police officers focusing on hourly pay in Arlington Heights, it's essential to consider part-time earnings. For a 24-hour work week, a police officer working part-time might bring home around $48,000 annually, which is significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Additionally, many departments implement mandatory overtime for various assignments, increasing earnings by an average of 20-50% when court appearances or special details extend shifts. The reality varies across different types of employment; municipal police departments typically provide a structured salary, while opportunities in other agencies, like county sheriff's offices or federal law enforcement, may offer different hourly rates. Benefits also play a major role; while lower hourly wages may come with comprehensive health insurance benefits, higher-paying roles without benefits could still be attractive for those looking to maximize their hourly rate. For officers considering positions, negotiating hourly wages in Arlington Heights should take into account both the potential for off-duty assignments and the overall benefits package, ensuring a balanced approach to long-term career prospects.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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 Arlington Heights. 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 Arlington Heights 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