Police Officer Hourly Pay in Muncie, IN: $31.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Muncie, IN runs $31.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,000 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Muncie's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,602 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Muncie, Indiana, the police officer hourly pay averages $31.73 per hour, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This discrepancy highlights the unique financial landscape for law enforcement professionals in the area. For part-time officers working three days a week, or those engaged in per-diem roles, this rate defines their compensation structure across various duties, including patrol, report writing, and testifying in court. The hourly earnings range significantly, with entry-level positions at approximately $24.53 per hour and top earners reaching $36.78 per hour. This official BLS data, projected based on 2025 figures, provides a clear insight into the pay scale for officers working in diverse environments, from strategic SWAT operations to routine traffic enforcement.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.53 | $196.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.71 | $237.70 |
| Median (P50) | $31.73 | $253.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.64 | $285.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.78 | $294.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muncie
Based on $31.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.73/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muncie, IN can expect to earn approximately $66,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,079. With a cost-of-living index of 88.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muncie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muncie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.29 | $5,500 | $66,003 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.57 | $3,300 | $39,602 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.71 | $2,200 | $26,401 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Muncie) | $31.73 |
| 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 Muncie, IN earn a median of $66,000 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.97% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 11.90% below the Indiana state average of $74,914.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.73/hr = $39,602/year (purchasing power: $44,926).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,003/year (purchasing power: $74,877).
CoL index: 88.148 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Muncie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Muncie grew 33.9% from $23.00/hr (2019) to $30.79/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.70/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 Muncie 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 Muncie
When considering the overall earning potential as a police officer in Muncie, part-time officers working 24 hours weekly may take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, creating challenges in financial planning. The nature of police work often requires mandatory overtime, which can add 20-50% to base earnings, especially during court appearances or special assignments. Outside regular duty, opportunities such as event security or construction site operations can yield a lucrative $35-$75 per hour for those willing to take on extra hours, often paid in cash. Different types of employers in the area also influence salaries; municipal departments typically offer lower rates compared to federal agencies like the FBI or state police. Furthermore, some officers may accept lesser hourly wages for the benefits of health insurance and pensions, while others might prefer higher hourly pay without benefits. For those negotiating wages in Muncie, highlighting specific skills or certifications related to POST training can be an effective strategy to secure better hourly rates.
More salary data for Muncie, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Muncie in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Muncie?
Are police officers in Muncie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Muncie?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Muncie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 Muncie. 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