Police Officer Hourly Pay in Gaithersburg, MD: $41.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Gaithersburg, MD runs $41.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,475 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Gaithersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,885 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gaithersburg, Maryland, the police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $41.57 in 2026. This rate surpasses the national hourly median of $37.76, reflecting a stronger compensation structure for law enforcement in the area. For those considering part-time or per diem roles, the financial projections reveal promising opportunities: a part-time officer working three days a week could expect to earn substantial income, depending on their shift assignments in patrol vehicles, police stations, or special operations. The hourly pay ranges significantly based on experience, with entry-level officers earning around $25.57 per hour, while some top earners can receive as much as $61.10 per hour in specialized roles or overtime scenarios.
About the Gaithersburg 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) | $25.57 | $204.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.77 | $254.19 |
| Median (P50) | $41.57 | $332.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.22 | $425.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.10 | $488.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gaithersburg
Based on $41.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.57/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gaithersburg, MD can expect to earn approximately $86,475 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,889. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gaithersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gaithersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,662.98 | $7,206 | $86,475 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $997.79 | $4,324 | $51,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $665.19 | $2,882 | $34,590 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Gaithersburg) | $41.57 |
| 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 Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $86,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $85,873.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.57/hr = $51,885/year (purchasing power: $47,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,475/year (purchasing power: $79,117).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Gaithersburg grew 20.7% from $33.43/hr (2019) to $40.34/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.85/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 Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg
Part-time police officers in Gaithersburg taking on a 24-hour work week could bring home a different annual figure compared to their full-time counterparts, highlighting the importance of understanding compensation differences. Despite potentially lower income, part-time officers may enjoy flexibility, while full-time positions often require mandatory overtime, leading to income boosts through overtime pay, especially for court appearances, special assignments, or extended shifts. Rates for off-duty assignments, such as event security, can vary widely, typically ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, reflecting both the demand for police presence and the opportunity for additional income outside regular schedules. The wage for police officers can also differ depending on the type of law enforcement agency; for example, federal positions generally offer higher pay compared to municipal roles. Officers must weigh the trade-offs between obtaining hourly wages without benefits against securing salaried positions with comprehensive health insurance. For those in hourly roles, negotiating skills become essential, especially when entering discussions about rates and responsibilities in Gaithersburg’s diverse law enforcement landscape.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, 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 Gaithersburg. 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 Gaithersburg 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