Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lexington, MA: $37.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lexington, MA runs $37.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,128 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,882 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lexington, Massachusetts, the police officer hourly pay is projected at $37.57 for the year 2026, slightly below the national median of $37.76. This rate reflects the nature of police work, which often involves both full-time and part-time positions. For part-time officers working three days a week, the financial implications are significant, especially as they navigate their duties across various settings, such as patrol vehicles and courtrooms. The calculated hourly range for entry-level officers starts at $24.86, while top earners can make up to $55.05 per hour. These figures highlight the earning potential available in the Lexington area, where police officers can gain experience in diverse roles such as traffic enforcement, special units, or investigative tasks.
Considering the economic landscape, part-time police officers in Lexington can bring home a substantial income even while working fewer hours compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, an officer working 24 hours a week could earn around $46,905 annually, depending on the number of hours they work. On the other hand, full-time positions often involve mandatory overtime, which can elevate earnings by 20% to 50% through premium overtime pay for court appearances or emergencies. Different employers in the area, including municipal police departments and federal law enforcement agencies, influence hourly rates significantly. Police officers may trade off lower hourly wages for benefits such as health insurance; understanding this trade-off is crucial, as it can affect long-term financial planning. When negotiating hourly pay in Lexington, officers should consider both base pay and overall job benefits, including pension plans, especially as competition for qualified candidates remains robust. The variations among employers can open pathways to a rewarding career, whether in service at a municipal department or transitioning to federal roles for potentially higher earnings.
About the Lexington 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) | $24.86 | $198.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.03 | $240.25 |
| Median (P50) | $37.57 | $300.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.55 | $380.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.05 | $440.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $37.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.57/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, MA can expect to earn approximately $78,136 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,078. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,502.61 | $6,511 | $78,136 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $901.57 | $3,907 | $46,882 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $601.05 | $2,605 | $31,254 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lexington) | $37.57 |
| 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 Lexington, MA earn a median of $78,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.53% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,638.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.57/hr = $46,882/year (purchasing power: $43,209).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,136/year (purchasing power: $72,015).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lexington grew 20.7% from $30.20/hr (2019) to $36.45/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.71/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 Lexington 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington. 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 Lexington 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