Police Officer Hourly Pay in New Bedford, MA: $39.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in New Bedford, MA runs $39.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,226 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against New Bedford's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,338 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bedford, the police officer hourly pay stands at a median rate of $39.53, surpassing the national median of $37.76. This competitive hourly wage reflects the city's unique job market and cost of living, which is slightly above the national average. For part-time officers working three days a week, often in environments such as patrol vehicles, police station report-writing, or during special operations, this hourly rate allows for meaningful earnings while balancing schedules. The hourly earnings for entry-level positions start at about $25.69, with top earners making as much as $59.22 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates and indicate a diverse range of earning potential depending on experience, special assignments, and departmental needs.
About the New Bedford 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) | $25.69 | $205.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.32 | $250.56 |
| Median (P50) | $39.53 | $316.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.30 | $402.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.22 | $473.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Bedford
Based on $39.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.53/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Bedford, MA can expect to earn approximately $82,230 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,441. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in New Bedford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Bedford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,581.35 | $6,853 | $82,230 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $948.81 | $4,112 | $49,338 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $632.54 | $2,741 | $32,892 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (New Bedford) | $39.53 |
| 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 New Bedford, MA earn a median of $82,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,655.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.53/hr = $49,338/year (purchasing power: $45,473).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,230/year (purchasing power: $75,788).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in New Bedford grew 5.0% from $36.55/hr (2019) to $38.36/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.74/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 New Bedford 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 New Bedford
For those considering a part-time role in law enforcement, earning potential can shift significantly. A police officer working three days a week could expect to take home approximately $61,968 annually. In contrast, a full-time officer, with consistent overtime opportunities factoring into their pay structure, often sees substantial increases in their earnings. Mandatory overtime, particularly for appearances in court or special detail assignments, can elevate their hourly rate by 20% to 50%, leading to enhanced compensation opportunities. Different types of employers in New Bedford, from municipal police departments to federal agencies, can influence hourly rates as well, with law enforcement positions traditionally offering varied pay structures based on job responsibilities. Furthermore, some officers may opt for lower hourly rates with assurances of health benefits, while others might prefer higher hourly pay without benefits. For officers negotiating their terms, understanding the local pay dynamics and knowing the value of community relations and overtime can be crucial in securing favorable compensation arrangements.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 New Bedford. 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 New Bedford 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