Police Officer Hourly Pay in East Chicago, IN: $34.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in East Chicago, IN runs $34.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,287 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against East Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,370 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Chicago, the projected police officer hourly pay in 2026 stands at $34.75, which lags behind the national hourly median of $37.76. This figure indicates a slightly challenging environment for local law enforcement professionals, particularly those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. Officers working three days a week would earn around $26,280 annually, a figure that can significantly affect their lifestyle in a city with a cost of living index of 91.3. The hourly pay range for police officers here fluctuates from an entry-level rate of $22.58 to an upper-tier pay rate of $51.51, providing a glimpse into the varied compensation structures based on experience and department assignments, whether they be on patrol, in booking rooms, or involved in special unit operations.
About the East Chicago Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.58 | $180.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.37 | $218.98 |
| Median (P50) | $34.75 | $278.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.35 | $354.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.51 | $412.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Chicago
Based on $34.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.75/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Chicago, IN can expect to earn approximately $72,284 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,702. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in East Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,390.07 | $6,024 | $72,284 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $834.04 | $3,614 | $43,370 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.03 | $2,409 | $28,914 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (East Chicago) | $34.75 |
| 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 East Chicago, IN earn a median of $72,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.96% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% below the Indiana state average of $74,909.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.75/hr = $43,370/year (purchasing power: $47,503).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,284/year (purchasing power: $79,172).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in East Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in East Chicago grew 20.7% from $27.94/hr (2019) to $33.72/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.82/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 East 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 East Chicago
Exploring the earning potential through part-time work reveals a stark contrast to those pursuing full-time positions in law enforcement. While full-time officers often benefit from overtime compensation averaging 20-50% above their base rates for court appearances or extended shifts, part-time officers primarily depend on their standard hourly pay. For many in the East Chicago area, extra-duty assignments provide supplemental income, sometimes offering between $35 and $75 per hour. Disparities also arise when considering hourly rates across various employer types in East Chicago, where municipal and state roles may offer different benefit structures compared to federal positions. The decision to accept a lower hourly wage for better health insurance offers a trade-off that some officers face. Practical negotiation skills become essential for prospective and current officers looking to maximize their hourly earnings, particularly in this competitive environment.
More salary data for East Chicago, IN:
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 East 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
Salary data for East Chicago 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