Police Officer Hourly Pay in West Lafayette, IN: $36.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in West Lafayette, IN runs $36.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,397 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against West Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,235 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Lafayette, Indiana, police officers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $36.25 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $37.76. For part-time officers, this hourly rate translates to a substantial income when working three days a week, as they can take on critical roles in various settings, including patrols and report-writing. The hourly pay range for police officers in this area spans from $23.99 for entry-level positions to as high as $54.24 for top earners. These figures, derived from annual salary projections, reflect the diverse opportunities available within the department, whether assigned to regular beats, engaging in special operations, or providing testimony in court, which can significantly impact their overall earnings based on the hours worked.
About the West Lafayette 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) | $23.99 | $191.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.87 | $230.94 |
| Median (P50) | $36.25 | $289.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.40 | $371.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.24 | $433.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Lafayette
Based on $36.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.25/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $75,392 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,495. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,449.85 | $6,283 | $75,392 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $869.91 | $3,770 | $45,235 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $579.94 | $2,513 | $30,157 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (West Lafayette) | $36.25 |
| 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 West Lafayette, IN earn a median of $75,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.00% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.70% above the Indiana state average of $74,873.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.25/hr = $45,235/year (purchasing power: $49,546).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,392/year (purchasing power: $82,576).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in West Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in West Lafayette grew 20.7% from $29.14/hr (2019) to $35.17/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.36/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 West Lafayette 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 West Lafayette
For those considering part-time roles, a typical 24-hour workweek might yield a yearly income that could allow for a comfortable living, though it won't match the full-time earnings of officers who benefit from steady hours and mandatory overtime. Many police officers rely on extra-duty assignments, which often pay between $35 and $75 per hour for off-duty details like event security or special projects. The variability in hourly rates across different employers—such as municipal police departments, state police, and federal agencies—also means that choosing where to work can hugely impact total compensation. Often, officers might accept a lower hourly pay for the benefits of health insurance and retirement plans that come with full-time positions. For those working on an hourly basis, it’s wise to negotiate effectively, focusing on the total compensation package rather than just the base pay, as many opportunities for overtime can significantly enhance an officer’s income and overall financial stability in West Lafayette.
More salary data for West Lafayette, 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 West Lafayette. 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 West Lafayette 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