Police Officer Hourly Pay in DeKalb, IL: $37.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in DeKalb, IL runs $37.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,001 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against DeKalb's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,396 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, Illinois, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $37.98, slightly higher than the national median of $37.76. This rate positions DeKalb’s officers favorably within the state, reflecting the community's investment in law enforcement. For part-time officers working three days a week, this translates to a solid income while allowing for a balanced work-life dynamic. Per-diem police officers, who may work in diverse roles such as patrol, booking, or special assignment operations, can capitalize on this competitive rate as they engage in varying duties, from court testimony to SWAT staging. Entry-level police officers can expect to start around $25.62 per hour, while the upper echelon of earners can reach up to $57.39, demonstrating a wide range of earning potential within the profession.
About the DeKalb 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) | $25.62 | $204.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.61 | $244.87 |
| Median (P50) | $37.98 | $303.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.89 | $375.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.39 | $459.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in DeKalb
Based on $37.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.98/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in DeKalb, IL can expect to earn approximately $78,993 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,573. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in DeKalb.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in DeKalb
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,519.10 | $6,583 | $78,993 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $911.46 | $3,950 | $47,396 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $607.64 | $2,633 | $31,597 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (DeKalb) | $37.98 |
| 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 DeKalb, IL earn a median of $79,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $82,121.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.98/hr = $47,396/year (purchasing power: $48,812).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,993/year (purchasing power: $81,353).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in DeKalb grew 20.7% from $30.54/hr (2019) to $36.85/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.14/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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb
Calculated scenarios reveal that a part-time officer in DeKalb, working 24 hours a week, would take home approximately $47,133 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still a respectable sum given the flexibility. For many officers, per diem opportunities often mean supplementing their base pay through overtime, which can increase earnings by 20-50% for court appearances or extra-duty assignments. Hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employer type; for instance, municipal police departments may offer different scales compared to county sheriff's offices or federal agencies. Some officers might choose positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, highlighting the trade-off in compensation structures within law enforcement. For those negotiating their pay in DeKalb, understanding the unique dynamics of police officer hourly pay in IL can empower them to seek optimal arrangements that balance hourly compensation with long-term benefits.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 DeKalb. 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 DeKalb 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