Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kankakee, IL: $39.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kankakee, IL runs $39.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,253 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kankakee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,747 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kankakee, Illinois, police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $39.06 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $37.76. This difference reflects local economic conditions and the competitive job market for law enforcement professionals. For part-time work, such as officers who might serve three days a week, this rate translates to significant income, allowing them to earn around $36,100 annually. Those considering per-diem police officer pay in Kankakee can access a variety of flexible opportunities, including assignments in patrol vehicles, booking rooms, and even in plainclothes for investigative tasks. The hourly compensation ranges from $24.30 for entry-level positions to $52.53 for experienced officers, providing clear pathways for career advancement and specialized roles within the law enforcement sector.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.30 | $194.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.42 | $275.38 |
| Median (P50) | $39.06 | $312.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.56 | $364.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.53 | $420.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kankakee
Based on $39.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.06/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kankakee, IL can expect to earn approximately $81,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,872. With a cost-of-living index of 96.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kankakee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kankakee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,562.39 | $6,770 | $81,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $937.43 | $4,062 | $48,747 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.96 | $2,708 | $32,498 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kankakee) | $39.06 |
| 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 Kankakee, IL earn a median of $81,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.45% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.00% below the Illinois state average of $82,073.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.06/hr = $48,747/year (purchasing power: $50,570).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,244/year (purchasing power: $84,284).
CoL index: 96.394 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kankakee grew 6.8% from $35.50/hr (2019) to $37.90/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.25/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 Kankakee 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 Kankakee
While part-time officers might earn less overall than their full-time counterparts, the flexibility can be appealing. For example, an officer working 24 hours per week at the median hourly rate would earn approximately $36,100 annually, while full-time officers enjoy added benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans that can lead to lower overall hourly wages at higher hours worked. Moreover, overtime opportunities in Kankakee can boost earnings significantly, often adding 20-50% to base pay for court appearances and special assignments. Various employment types impact hourly rates—municipal departments offer a different structure compared to county sheriff's offices or federal agencies, which are typically more lucrative. Police officers might weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits against lower rates that include comprehensive health insurance and pension plans. Understanding the negotiation dynamics and considering factors such as job security and benefits can help officers in Kankakee make informed choices about their careers.
More salary data for Kankakee, 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 Kankakee. 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