Police Officer Hourly Pay in Methuen, MA: $38.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Methuen, MA runs $38.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,466 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Methuen's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,284 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Methuen, Massachusetts, police officer hourly pay is projected to be around $38.69 in 2026, slightly above the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This competitive rate allows for flexible earnings in a profession often characterized by varying shift lengths and workload demands. For part-time professionals working three days a week, totalling about 24 hours, the potential to earn around $929 weekly can be significant, particularly when considering additional compensation for specific duties such as court appearances or ongoing investigations. Methuen officers may see entry-level pay starting at $25.51 per hour, while those in leadership or specialized roles can earn up to $59.04 per hour, showcasing a range of opportunities within the city’s law enforcement structure.
About the Methuen 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) | $25.51 | $204.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.89 | $247.10 |
| Median (P50) | $38.69 | $309.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.52 | $396.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.04 | $472.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Methuen
Based on $38.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.69/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Methuen, MA can expect to earn approximately $80,473 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,426. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Methuen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Methuen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,547.55 | $6,706 | $80,473 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $928.53 | $4,024 | $48,284 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $619.02 | $2,682 | $32,189 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Methuen) | $38.69 |
| 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 Methuen, MA earn a median of $80,466 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,609.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.69/hr = $48,284/year (purchasing power: $44,501).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,473/year (purchasing power: $74,168).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Methuen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Methuen grew 20.7% from $31.11/hr (2019) to $37.54/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.87/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 Methuen 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 Methuen
When assessing part-time earnings against a full-time schedule, officers in Methuen need to consider mandatory overtime often required in police work. A police officer working three days per week could anticipate an annual take-home of nearly $48,000, in contrast to a full-time officer, who might accrue significantly higher total wages with overtime integration. Per diem police officer pay in Methuen can vary widely, especially for special events or assignments that may offer rates of $35 to $75 per hour independent of their base salary. The employment landscape for officers also varies by agency type, whether municipal, state, or federal, and influences pay rates significantly; for example, federal agents typically earn much higher wages but may have less predictable hours. Officers must weigh higher hourly rates against the benefits that come with full-time municipal positions, such as health insurance and retirement plans. Negotiating these aspects wisely becomes crucial for anyone considering a career in Methuen's law enforcement.
More salary data for Methuen, 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 Methuen. 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 Methuen 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