Police Officer Hourly Pay in Bethesda, MD: $39.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Bethesda, MD runs $39.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,918 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Bethesda's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,750 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethesda, Maryland, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $39.86 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $37.76. This difference highlights the competitive nature of compensation for law enforcement in the region. For those pursuing part-time opportunities, typically working three days a week, the pay can be quite appealing, especially in varied settings such as patrol, investigations, and special unit operations. Part-time officers can expect to earn between $24.88 and $60.80 per hour depending on their experience and specialization. As these hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, they offer a promising outlook for individuals considering a career or supplemental income in police work within Bethesda.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.88 | $199.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.86 | $246.85 |
| Median (P50) | $39.86 | $318.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.03 | $408.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.80 | $486.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethesda
Based on $39.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.86/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethesda, MD can expect to earn approximately $82,916 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,836. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bethesda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethesda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,594.54 | $6,910 | $82,916 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $956.73 | $4,146 | $49,750 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $637.82 | $2,764 | $33,167 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Bethesda) | $39.86 |
| 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 Bethesda, MD earn a median of $82,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $85,836.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.86/hr = $49,750/year (purchasing power: $45,517).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,916/year (purchasing power: $75,861).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Bethesda grew 20.7% from $32.05/hr (2019) to $38.68/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.08/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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda
Focusing on realistic earning potential, a part-time officer working a 24-hour week in Bethesda could bring home approximately $62,000 annually, a fraction of what full-time officers earn. Those who opt for per diem assignments can significantly increase their earnings, especially when factoring in the overtime pay that is often available for mandatory court appearances and special duties. Some police jurisdictions provide off-duty opportunities with rates reaching as high as $75 per hour, which can add substantial income for officers. Notably, the hourly rates vary by agency type, with federal positions generally offering higher pay scales compared to municipal departments. In Bethesda, officers might find lower hourly wages in exchange for robust benefits packages, including health insurance. When negotiating pay, it’s vital for officers to consider the overall benefits versus compensation ratio, maximizing their financial and professional prospects in the long run.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
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 Bethesda. 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 Bethesda 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