Police Officer Hourly Pay in Amherst Town, MA: $36.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Amherst Town, MA runs $36.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,728 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Amherst Town's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.2, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,441 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amherst Town, Massachusetts, the projected median hourly pay for police officers is $36.41, slightly below the national median of $37.76. This figure holds significance for part-time officers working three days a week, or 24 hours, as well as for per-diem workers, who often find themselves juggling various duties such as patrol, report writing, and testifying in court. The hourly wage in Amherst Town varies, with entry-level positions earning as little as $25.01 and experienced officers at the top of their field drawing $52.28 per hour. The range highlights the potential for increased earnings as officers gain experience and additional responsibilities. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.01 | $200.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.41 | $235.31 |
| Median (P50) | $36.41 | $291.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.17 | $369.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.28 | $418.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Amherst Town
Based on $36.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.41/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Amherst Town, MA can expect to earn approximately $75,735 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,693. With a cost-of-living index of 100.24 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Amherst Town.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Amherst Town
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,456.44 | $6,311 | $75,735 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $873.87 | $3,787 | $45,441 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $582.58 | $2,525 | $30,294 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Amherst Town) | $36.41 |
| 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 Amherst Town, MA earn a median of $75,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.58% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,604.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.41/hr = $45,441/year (purchasing power: $45,331).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,735/year (purchasing power: $75,551).
CoL index: 100.243 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Amherst Town (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Amherst Town grew 20.7% from $29.28/hr (2019) to $35.33/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.53/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 Amherst Town 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 Amherst Town
For those considering part-time work in law enforcement, a three-day schedule yields approximately $45,000 annually, making it a viable option compared to full-time officers who may be more immersed in overtime shifts. Additionally, opportunities for per diem police officer pay in Amherst Town can further enhance earning potential; many officers take advantage of off-duty assignments that pay cash rates between $35 and $75 per hour. Depending on the employer type, such as municipal agencies, county sheriffs, or federal law enforcement, hourly wages can vary significantly. Certain benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, might influence the choice between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower pay with coverage. It is advisable for officers to negotiate their hourly rates with consideration of these elements, especially in a community where the cost of living surpasses the national average.
More salary data for Amherst Town, MA:
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 Amherst Town. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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