Police Officer Hourly Pay in Des Plaines, IL: $38.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Des Plaines, IL runs $38.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,369 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Des Plaines's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,628 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Des Plaines, IL, offers a competitive police officer hourly pay, with a median rate projected at $38.16 for 2026, slightly above the national average of $37.76. This hourly figure is significant, especially for those looking at part-time or per diem positions in various roles like patrols, report writing, or specialized units like SWAT. For officers working three days a week, earnings can vary widely; entry-level officers may start at around $24.02, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $56.87 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the structured pay scale within the law enforcement realm in Des Plaines, allowing for various assignment settings that provide essential flexibility and diverse experiences.
About the Des Plaines 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) | $24.02 | $192.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.74 | $229.95 |
| Median (P50) | $38.16 | $305.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.57 | $388.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.87 | $454.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Plaines
Based on $38.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.16/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Plaines, IL can expect to earn approximately $79,379 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,796. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Plaines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Plaines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,526.52 | $6,615 | $79,379 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $915.91 | $3,969 | $47,628 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $610.61 | $2,646 | $31,752 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Des Plaines) | $38.16 |
| 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 Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $79,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.05% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $82,077.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.16/hr = $47,628/year (purchasing power: $49,050).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,379/year (purchasing power: $81,750).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Des Plaines grew 20.7% from $30.68/hr (2019) to $37.03/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.33/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 Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
For those considering part-time work, earning potential can fluctuate greatly. A police officer in Des Plaines putting in a 24-hour week gross would see considerable income discrepancies compared to full-time colleagues, particularly when factoring in mandatory overtime for court appearances and special events. Overtime can boost total earnings significantly, offering rates of 1.5 times the base payable for assignments, leading many officers to supplement their income through off-duty assignments that can range from $35 to $75 per hour. Varieties of employment across municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies can result in distinct hourly rates, with state and federal positions often offering more robust compensation but potentially divergent job security and benefits. While some may opt for lower hourly rates with structured health benefits, others will prefer higher hourly payouts without comprehensive coverage. Officers in Des Plaines looking to negotiate their hourly rate should be strategic, considering both the financial and non-financial benefits of jobs and leave room for flexible discussions on the variations between roles across different jurisdictions.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines 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