Police Officer Hourly Pay in Towson, MD: $37.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Towson, MD runs $37.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,566 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Towson's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,139 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected police officer hourly pay in Towson, Maryland for 2026 stands at $37.77, slightly above the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate is significant for those looking to work part-time or as per diem officers. For instance, an officer working three days a week would earn approximately $29,281 annually, based on a 24-hour work schedule, while full-time officers would accrue a substantially higher income. According to the projected wage data, hourly compensation ranges from $24.96 for entry-level positions to $57.67 for top earners. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and reflect the diverse nature of police work, which can occur in various settings including patrol vehicles, booking rooms at police stations, and court testimony venues.
About the Towson 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) | $24.96 | $199.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.17 | $241.33 |
| Median (P50) | $37.77 | $302.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.35 | $386.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.67 | $461.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Towson
Based on $37.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.77/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Towson, MD can expect to earn approximately $78,565 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,326. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Towson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Towson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,510.86 | $6,547 | $78,565 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $906.52 | $3,928 | $47,139 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $604.34 | $2,619 | $31,426 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Towson) | $37.77 |
| 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 Towson, MD earn a median of $78,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.03% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.50% below the Maryland state average of $85,864.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.77/hr = $47,139/year (purchasing power: $43,128).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,565/year (purchasing power: $71,880).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Towson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Towson grew 20.7% from $30.37/hr (2019) to $36.65/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.93/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 Towson 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 Towson
The earning potential for part-time or per diem police officers in Towson can vary dramatically compared to full-time roles. An officer on a three-day work schedule misses out on the benefits and increased pay that typically accompanies full-time employment. Yet, part-time officers can still capitalize on opportunities for overtime through mandatory court appearances, special details, and extended shifts, which commonly see rates running 1.5 times their base pay. Moreover, off-duty assignments like event security or construction site oversight may pay between $35 and $75 per hour, depending on the job type and employer. In Towson, the variety of law enforcement agencies—including municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and even federal opportunities like the FBI—creates a wider range of hourly wages. Many officers must also weigh the decision of working for a department offering benefits against the higher hourly rates seen in private security roles. As such, negotiation skills become crucial; understanding the local market and being aware of what each department offers can significantly impact an officer's financial trajectory.
More salary data for Towson, 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 Towson. 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 Towson 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