Police Officer Hourly Pay in Laurel, MD: $39.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Laurel, MD runs $39.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,549 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Laurel's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,927 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Maryland, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $39.20, surpassing the national median of $37.76. This competitive rate reflects the city's efforts to attract and retain skilled law enforcement personnel in a region that often has a higher cost of living index. For part-time officers working three days a week, earning this hourly rate means they could take home a solid paycheck while balancing other responsibilities. Whether on patrol, attending court hearings, or engaged in special operations, part-time and per-diem police officers find opportunities within a spectrum of hourly earnings, starting at approximately $25.62 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $58.18 for experienced officers in specialized roles.
About the Laurel 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) | $25.62 | $204.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.99 | $247.92 |
| Median (P50) | $39.20 | $313.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.18 | $401.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.18 | $465.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laurel
Based on $39.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.20/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laurel, MD can expect to earn approximately $81,544 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,045. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Laurel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laurel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,568.16 | $6,795 | $81,544 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $940.90 | $4,077 | $48,927 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $627.26 | $2,718 | $32,618 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Laurel) | $39.20 |
| 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 Laurel, MD earn a median of $81,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $85,841.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.20/hr = $48,927/year (purchasing power: $44,764).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,544/year (purchasing power: $74,606).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Laurel grew 20.7% from $31.52/hr (2019) to $38.04/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.40/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 Laurel 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 Laurel
Part-time police officers in Laurel can expect to earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, as a typical three-day week results in around 24 hours of work. The flexibility of such schedules can be appealing, but also leads to a lower cumulative income. However, the realities of police work often afford opportunities for extra compensation through mandatory overtime or extra-duty assignments, which can elevate their financial outlook significantly. Agencies typically compensate officers at 1.5 times their base rate for ancillary duties, such as extra security for events, which can result in substantial income enhancements. Additionally, the type of law enforcement agency impacts earnings; municipal roles differ from county, state, and federal positions, each with distinct pay scales. While some officers might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may seek higher rates in private security roles post-retirement, reflecting differing priorities and life stages. In a city like Laurel, understanding these dynamics is essential for negotiating terms that align with personal and career goals.
More salary data for Laurel, 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 Laurel. 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 Laurel 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