Police Officer Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $37.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Baltimore, MD runs $37.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,332 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $37.93, exceeding the national hourly median of $37.76. This difference translates into a slightly higher earning potential for officers in diverse settings, ranging from patrol vehicles and police stations to courtrooms and specialized operations like SWAT. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate can yield a competitive income, allowing them to balance their law enforcement responsibilities with other pursuits. The hourly pay spans a wide range, with entry-level officers earning around $30.11 while seasoned professionals can make up to $50.04 per hour, highlighting opportunities for advancement within the Baltimore police department and various support agencies. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.11 | $240.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.29 | $274.30 |
| Median (P50) | $37.93 | $303.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.56 | $380.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.04 | $400.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $37.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.93/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $78,886 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,511. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,517.04 | $6,574 | $78,886 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $910.23 | $3,944 | $47,332 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $606.82 | $2,630 | $31,554 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Baltimore) | $37.93 |
| 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 Baltimore, MD earn a median of $78,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.10% below the Maryland state average of $85,824.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.93/hr = $47,332/year (purchasing power: $45,299).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,886/year (purchasing power: $75,499).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Baltimore grew 7.7% from $34.17/hr (2019) to $36.80/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.09/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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
Earning potential as a police officer varies significantly, especially for those who choose part-time work versus full-time positions. A part-time officer working 24 hours a week can expect to earn substantially less annually compared to full-time colleagues but maintains flexibility in their scheduling. For per diem police officer pay in Baltimore, many agencies provide competitive hourly compensation, particularly for specialized assignments like event security, which can offer rates between $35 and $75 an hour. However, full-time officers typically benefit from overtime pay that can add 20-50% to their base earnings when fulfilling extra duties or working beyond their scheduled hours. The disparity in hourly wages between municipal, county, and federal agencies can be significant; while municipal departments might offer lower base rates, they often compensate with health benefits that attract officers seeking financial security. Neglecting to negotiate for better hourly pay rates could leave some officers underpaid, especially in a city where salary negotiations can vary greatly among different law enforcement agencies.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Baltimore in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Baltimore?
Are police officers in Baltimore paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Baltimore?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Baltimore?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 Baltimore. 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