Police Officer Hourly Pay in Champaign, IL: $38.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Champaign, IL runs $38.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,923 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Champaign's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,554 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Champaign, Illinois, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $38.91, which exceeds the national median of $37.76. This competitive rate reflects the demanding nature of the job and provides a significant income for part-time positions, such as those working three days a week. Calculating a part-time schedule at 24 hours weekly results in an annual income of approximately $48,000, a viable option for those balancing other commitments. The hourly pay structure here ranges from $26.96 at the entry-level to as high as $53.60 for top earners. Officers in Champaign find themselves working in various environments, including patrol vehicles, police stations, courtrooms, and during special operations. This BLS-projected data not only highlights the financial aspect but also conveys the range of duties that officers fulfill as they serve the community.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.96 | $215.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.20 | $289.64 |
| Median (P50) | $38.91 | $311.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.27 | $378.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.60 | $428.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Champaign
Based on $38.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.91/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Champaign, IL can expect to earn approximately $80,923 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,686. With a cost-of-living index of 92.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Champaign.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Champaign
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,556.21 | $6,744 | $80,923 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $933.72 | $4,046 | $48,554 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $622.48 | $2,697 | $32,369 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Champaign) | $38.91 |
| 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 Champaign, IL earn a median of $80,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.03% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $82,072.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.91/hr = $48,554/year (purchasing power: $52,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,923/year (purchasing power: $87,291).
CoL index: 92.704 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Champaign grew 20.7% from $31.28/hr (2019) to $37.75/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.10/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 Champaign 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 Champaign
Part-time officers have the potential to increase their earnings through per diem police officer pay in Champaign. For individuals taking on additional shifts or overtime, such as for court appearances or special operations, their income can rise dramatically. Overtime pay, often at 1.5 times their base rate, can significantly enhance overall earnings, creating an intriguing financial incentive for those considering part-time work. Moreover, when analyzing hourly pay structures across different law enforcement agencies in the area, one can find variation among municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies. While municipal police might offer lower hourly rates, they may provide comprehensive health benefits that others do not. As such, deciding between lower hourly pay with benefits versus higher hourly compensation without benefits involves an essential trade-off that officers in Champaign must navigate according to their personal circumstances. Understanding the dynamics of per diem and part-time pay can equip officers with the tools they need for effective financial planning in their law enforcement careers.
More salary data for Champaign, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Champaign in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Champaign?
Are police officers in Champaign paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Champaign?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Champaign?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Champaign. 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, 6-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