Police Officer Hourly Pay in Potomac, MD: $40.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Potomac, MD runs $40.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,255 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Potomac's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,956 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Potomac, Maryland, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $40.03, which surpasses the national median of $37.76. This pay scale offers a competitive edge, particularly for part-time officers working three days a week, who may find the hourly rate appealing when considering shifts in various environments, such as patrol vehicles or police stations. The projected hourly range for police officers in this region spans from $24.17 at the entry level to $59.57 for those at the top of their profession. Such figures, derived from annual salary estimates, suggest that there is considerable earning potential not only for full-time roles but also for part-time and per-diem police officer positions, often associated with diverse assignments, including undercover operations and special unit tasks.
About the Potomac 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) | $24.17 | $193.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.63 | $261.03 |
| Median (P50) | $40.03 | $320.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.23 | $409.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.57 | $476.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Potomac
Based on $40.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.03/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Potomac, MD can expect to earn approximately $83,259 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,034. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Potomac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Potomac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,601.14 | $6,938 | $83,259 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $960.68 | $4,163 | $49,956 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $640.46 | $2,775 | $33,304 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Potomac) | $40.03 |
| 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 Potomac, MD earn a median of $83,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.00% below the Maryland state average of $85,830.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.03/hr = $49,956/year (purchasing power: $45,705).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,259/year (purchasing power: $76,175).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Potomac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Potomac grew 20.7% from $32.18/hr (2019) to $38.84/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.25/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 Potomac 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 Potomac
Hourly earnings can differ significantly based on work arrangements and types of police assignments. For instance, a part-time officer who works 24 hours a week might earn less annually than a full-time counterpart, limiting their overall benefits and retirement contributions. Additionally, officers often engage in per-diem or agency work that offers flexible shifts but may not include the same retirement benefits of full-time positions. Overtime pay, commonly applied for court appearances or extended shifts, presents opportunities for additional income—often bumping hourly pay up to 1.5 times the base rate. The disparity in hourly rates can also be observed among various employers in Potomac; municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies can each have different pay structures. Many officers must weigh the pros and cons of accepting lower hourly positions with substantial health benefits against those that pay more but lack these benefits. When negotiating pay, it’s vital for officers to articulate their skills clearly and leverage their training experiences, especially if engaging in discussions with municipal and federal employers in Potomac.
More salary data for Potomac, 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 Potomac. 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 Potomac 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