Police Officer Hourly Pay in Gary, IN: $36.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Gary, IN runs $36.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,969 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Gary's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,978 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For police officers in Gary, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 is $36.04, slightly below the national median of $37.76. This rate reflects the diverse working conditions faced by officers, whether they are on patrol, handling bookings in police stations, or preparing for court testimonies. The hourly range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $21.82 and experienced officers or specialists earning up to $55.87 per hour. The figures are derived from annual salary data after adjustments, highlighting the dynamics that come into play when evaluating police officer hourly pay in Gary. It's critical to understand the implications of this hourly rate for both part-time officers working three days a week and those considering per-diem positions, as they shape their financial prospects in the law enforcement landscape.
About the Gary 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) | $21.82 | $174.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.28 | $218.24 |
| Median (P50) | $36.04 | $288.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.28 | $362.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.87 | $446.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gary
Based on $36.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.04/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gary, IN can expect to earn approximately $74,963 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,248. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,441.60 | $6,247 | $74,963 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $864.96 | $3,748 | $44,978 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $576.64 | $2,499 | $29,985 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Gary) | $36.04 |
| 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 Gary, IN earn a median of $74,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.55% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $74,894.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.04/hr = $44,978/year (purchasing power: $49,264).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,963/year (purchasing power: $82,107).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Gary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Gary grew 20.7% from $28.98/hr (2019) to $34.97/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.14/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 Gary 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 Gary
When examining the earning potential for part-time police officers in Gary, one can see notable differences between their financial outcomes and those of full-time counterparts. With a schedule of just three 8-hour shifts per week, a part-time officer could expect to take home around $28,224 annually, significantly less than a full-time officer's earnings, which capitalize on benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Mandated overtime can augment one’s hourly earnings, especially for special detail assignments or court appearances, where pay can surge by an additional 20-50%. In Gary, pay scales can also vary based on employer type; for instance, municipal departments differ from county sheriff's offices and federal agencies in terms of compensation structures and opportunities. Officers may face the choice of accepting lower hourly pay for comprehensive health benefits or opting for higher pay routes with no benefits altogether, which requires careful consideration. Negotiation strategies should focus on emphasizing the unique skills and community insights that local officers bring, reflecting the need to adapt their approach in a competitive pay environment in Gary.
More salary data for Gary, 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 Gary. 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 Gary 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