Police Officer Hourly Pay in South Portland, ME: $36.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in South Portland, ME runs $36.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against South Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,312 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Portland, ME, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $36.31. This figure sits slightly below the national median of $37.76 per hour. For part-time officers working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, this hourly rate translates to a substantial yet variable monthly income, making it possible to balance work alongside other pursuits. On the lower end of the scale, entry-level police officers can expect to earn around $24.56, while those reaching the higher echelons of the profession may earn up to $53.85 per hour. These rates are reflective of the estimated pay structure derived from annual salary data, showcasing how police officer hourly pay in South Portland can cater to both full-time and per diem police officer roles across various duty settings.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.56 | $196.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.62 | $228.96 |
| Median (P50) | $36.31 | $290.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.35 | $370.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.85 | $430.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Portland
Based on $36.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.31/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $75,521 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,570. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,452.32 | $6,293 | $75,521 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $871.39 | $3,776 | $45,312 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $580.93 | $2,517 | $30,208 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (South Portland) | $36.31 |
| 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 South Portland, ME earn a median of $75,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% below the Maine state average of $78,267.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.31/hr = $45,312/year (purchasing power: $45,494).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,521/year (purchasing power: $75,824).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in South Portland grew 20.7% from $29.19/hr (2019) to $35.23/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.42/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 South Portland 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 South Portland
Looking beyond the straightforward hourly calculations, part-time officers working approximately 72 hours a month may earn about $52,000 annually, which is considerably less than their full-time counterparts, who benefit from overtime opportunities that can enhance earnings dramatically. With mandatory overtime for court appearances and special assignments, many officers can see their base pay increase by 20-50%. Additionally, off-duty or extra-duty work assignments can yield cash pay rates between $35 and $75 per hour, enhancing overall income. Moreover, variation in pay exists among different employer types, including municipal and county departments, state police, federal law enforcement, and university police departments, which often offer diverging rates due to funding and operational structures. Officers sometimes face the choice between a higher hourly rate without benefits and a structured compensation package that includes health insurance, thereby requiring careful consideration of overall job satisfaction and financial stability. For those seeking to negotiate better terms, understanding the local pay market and demonstrating value through skills acquired during POST training can be advantageous.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
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 South Portland. 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 South Portland 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