Police Officer Hourly Pay in Needham, MA: $38.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Needham, MA runs $38.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,193 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Needham's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,116 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer hourly pay in Needham, Massachusetts, is projected to be $38.55, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $37.76 by approximately 2.10%. This competitive rate significantly benefits part-time officers, who may work three days a week on average. These officers can expect to earn an hourly wage while performing duties across diverse environments such as patrols, report-writing in station booking rooms, and responding to calls while on beat assignments. For entry-level officers, hourly wages start at $24.12, with experienced officers in specialized roles potentially earning up to $55.96 per hour, thereby reflecting a broad range of earning potentials based on experience and assignments within the department.
About the Needham 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) | $24.12 | $192.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.70 | $237.62 |
| Median (P50) | $38.55 | $308.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.56 | $388.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.96 | $447.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Needham
Based on $38.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.55/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Needham, MA can expect to earn approximately $80,194 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,266. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Needham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Needham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,542.19 | $6,683 | $80,194 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $925.31 | $4,010 | $48,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $616.88 | $2,673 | $32,078 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Needham) | $38.55 |
| 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 Needham, MA earn a median of $80,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.10% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,580.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.55/hr = $48,116/year (purchasing power: $44,347).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,194/year (purchasing power: $73,911).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Needham grew 20.7% from $31.00/hr (2019) to $37.41/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.73/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 Needham 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 Needham
Looking at part-time earning potential, a 24-hour workweek for a police officer translates to approximately $30,652 in annual income, compared to a full-time officer's earnings, which are notably higher. Per diem police officer pay in Needham can vary widely, often influenced by overtime obligations that substantially increase income when officers participate in court appearances or special assignments. Overtime can boost base pay by 20-50% for certain responsibilities like event security, which commonly pays between $35 to $75 per hour. Moreover, the differences in hourly rates across various employer types—including municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement—further shape earning potential. While some officers may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive benefits like health insurance, others might prioritize higher hourly wages without such packages, balancing immediate financial needs against long-term stability. Negotiating effectively is essential in the Needham area, as officers can enhance their pay structure by securing per diem roles or additional shifts without compromising their primary employment.
More salary data for Needham, 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 Needham. 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 Needham 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