Police Officer Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $53.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Chicago, IL runs $53.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,109 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,663 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the police officer hourly pay reflects a robust labor market, with a median rate of $53.42 per hour, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76 per hour. This wage offers a substantial income for part-time or per diem police officers, who typically work in various environments such as patrol vehicles, booking rooms in police stations, and during court testimonies. These officers can benefit from the high-end of the hourly range, which goes up to $61.01, while entry-level officers might earn around $31.43. This differential allows individuals to maximize their earnings based on experience and operational roles, all derived from the projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data for 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.43 | $251.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.92 | $343.40 |
| Median (P50) | $53.42 | $427.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.42 | $427.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.01 | $488.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $53.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.42/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $111,105 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,099. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,136.64 | $9,259 | $111,105 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,281.98 | $5,555 | $66,663 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $854.66 | $3,704 | $44,442 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Chicago) | $53.42 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $111,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.46% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 35.30% above the Illinois state average of $82,120.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.42/hr = $66,663/year (purchasing power: $64,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,105/year (purchasing power: $107,250).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Chicago grew 21.4% from $42.68/hr (2019) to $51.83/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.05/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
When considering part-time work, officers in Chicago working three days a week for 24 hours could take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, commonly leading to income disparities. For per diem assignments, officers may face variables that can add to their earnings, especially with shift extensions and court appearances commanding overtime pay at 1.5 times the base hourly rate. In Chicago, opportunities for extra-duty assignments, ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, enhance overall income as well, particularly in security roles. Different employer types also influence earnings—municipal police departments may offer varying hourly rates compared to federal agencies like the FBI, where salaries align with the GS-13 scale. Importantly, those choosing to prioritize health benefits may accept lower hourly rates, as opposed to opting for higher pay without such offerings. Understanding these elements is crucial, and negotiation strategies that focus on total compensation—including benefits—can lead to advantageous choices in a complex employment environment.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 Chicago. 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