Police Officer Hourly Pay in Dundalk, MD: $39.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Dundalk, 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 Dundalk'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 Dundalk, Maryland, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $39.86, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive rate is significant for individuals considering part-time roles, as working three days a week could yield a monthly income that supplements other employment or personal ventures. For per-diem police officers, who may rotate through various assignments, the flexibility of hourly pay allows for diverse working environments ranging from patrol vehicles to court testimony settings. The hourly range for this occupation spans from $25.03 for entry-level positions to $59.34 for top earners, offering a pathway for career advancement while reflecting the different levels of responsibility within the force. These estimates derive from annual salary data and provide a comprehensive view of hourly compensation within the law enforcement sector in Dundalk.
About the Dundalk 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) | $25.03 | $200.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.86 | $246.85 |
| Median (P50) | $39.86 | $318.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.03 | $408.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.34 | $474.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dundalk
Based on $39.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.86/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dundalk, 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 Dundalk.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dundalk
| 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 (Dundalk) | $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 Dundalk, 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 Dundalk (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 Dundalk 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 Dundalk 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 Dundalk
Part-time police officers in Dundalk working a 24-hour week can expect to take home approximately $49,960 annually, while full-time officers significantly boost their income through mandatory overtime and off-duty assignments. Overtime pay typically at 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances or special details can increase earnings by 20-50%, making the profession financially appealing to those willing to take on extra hours. Hourly pay can fluctuate depending on the employer, with municipal police departments often providing lower compensation compared to federal law enforcement agencies that offer robust salaries and additional benefits. Some officers may accept lower hourly rates for the stability of health insurance and pensions through structured labor representation organizations like the FOP or NLEA. Negotiating for higher pay or better benefits is practical, especially in a market where skilled officers may command a premium for their expertise.
More salary data for Dundalk, 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 Dundalk. 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 Dundalk 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