Police Officer Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $38.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Rockford, IL runs $38.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,912 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,554 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is estimated at $38.91, outpacing the national median of $37.76. This competitive rate not only reflects the demanding nature of the job but also provides substantial earning potential for part-time officers working three days a week, translating to a variety of settings such as patrol vehicles, police stations, and even courtrooms. At the lower end of the pay spectrum, entry-level officers can expect a starting rate around $30.19, while experienced officers may command as much as $53.36 per hour in high-demand roles. These figures come from official BLS data, highlighting the financial landscape facing law enforcement professionals in Rockford, Illinois, and how hourly compensation varies across different types of assignments.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.19 | $241.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.95 | $287.58 |
| Median (P50) | $38.91 | $311.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.13 | $369.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.36 | $426.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $38.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.91/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, 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 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| 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 (Rockford) | $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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $80,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.02% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $82,061.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.91/hr = $48,554/year (purchasing power: $52,687).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,923/year (purchasing power: $87,812).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.38/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 Rockford grew 8.7% from $34.74/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Assessing the earnings potential for part-time police work in Rockford, a three-day work week equates to approximately 24 hours, yielding a take-home that might significantly differ from full-time officers, who benefit from complete compensation packages and overtime opportunities. Many police officers engage in per-diem work, often finding assignments that require them to be on-call, especially during court appearances or special events, which can effectively increase their income by 20-50% due to overtime pay. Sectors such as federal law enforcement and county sheriff's offices often present varying hourly rates, with unique incentives guiding officers to choose between higher wages without benefits and stable municipal positions with comprehensive health plans. Understanding the local market dynamics is essential; negotiating effectively around these hourly rates can help officers secure better pay, especially when considering off-duty work or extra-duty assignments that could offer $35-$75 per hour cash or as part of a detail program.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. 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