Police Officer Hourly Pay in Dartmouth, MA: $38.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Dartmouth, MA runs $38.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,503 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Dartmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,705 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Dartmouth, Massachusetts, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $38.22, slightly above the national median of $37.76. This rate offers significant potential for part-time officers who may be working schedules of three days a week, allowing for a flexible approach while maintaining their service commitment. Officers are typically engaged in various activities ranging from patrolling assignments to courtroom appearances, all contributing to the overall policing ecosystem. Entry-level officers can expect to begin around $23.39 per hour, while experienced professionals might earn as much as $57.21 per hour. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates and reflect the diverse responsibilities and risks associated with law enforcement roles in the community.
Considering the financial landscape of police work, part-time officers working 24 hours a week would net a significant difference compared to those employed full-time. Doing the math, they would take home an annual salary reflecting their restricted hours, likely not hitting the financial peak available with full-time status. Furthermore, with many departments offering mandatory overtime that can increase effective pay by 20-50%, extra details like traffic directing or event security often supplement earnings, with per diem police officer pay in Dartmouth ranging from $35 to $75. Employment type also plays a vital role in pay disparities; municipal, county, and federal roles offer their unique compensation structures. Officers may sometimes need to weigh these hourly rates against benefits provided by full-time positions, allowing room for negotiations that can better align job conditions with their personal financial goals.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.39 | $187.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.04 | $232.34 |
| Median (P50) | $38.22 | $305.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.92 | $391.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.21 | $457.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dartmouth
Based on $38.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.22/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dartmouth, MA can expect to earn approximately $79,508 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,870. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Dartmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dartmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,529.00 | $6,626 | $79,508 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $917.40 | $3,975 | $47,705 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $611.60 | $2,650 | $31,803 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Dartmouth) | $38.22 |
| 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 Dartmouth, MA earn a median of $79,503 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,625.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.22/hr = $47,705/year (purchasing power: $43,968).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,508/year (purchasing power: $73,279).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Dartmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Dartmouth grew 20.7% from $30.73/hr (2019) to $37.09/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.39/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 Dartmouth 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.
More salary data for Dartmouth, 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 Dartmouth. 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 Dartmouth 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