Police Officer Hourly Pay in Somerville, MA: $39.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Somerville, MA runs $39.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,731 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Somerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,634 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected police officer hourly pay in Somerville, Massachusetts stands at $39.77, which offers a competitive edge compared to the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This attractive wage enables officers to consider diverse work schedules, such as part-time opportunities, where a 24-hour workweek would still yield a commendable income. For per diem police officer assignments in Somerville, roles can include working in patrol vehicles on designated beats, conducting interviews in plainclothes, or testifying in court, all while earning notable compensation. The hourly rates reflect a range from $24.87 for entry-level positions to $59.06 for top earners aligned with their tenure and experience. Such figures suggest a robust potential for growth within the profession, enticing new recruits and seasoned officers alike.
About the Somerville 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) | $24.87 | $198.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.70 | $245.61 |
| Median (P50) | $39.77 | $318.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.51 | $404.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.06 | $472.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Somerville
Based on $39.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.77/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Somerville, MA can expect to earn approximately $82,723 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,725. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Somerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Somerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,590.83 | $6,894 | $82,723 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $954.50 | $4,136 | $49,634 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $636.33 | $2,757 | $33,089 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Somerville) | $39.77 |
| 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 Somerville, MA earn a median of $82,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.33% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,589.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.77/hr = $49,634/year (purchasing power: $45,746).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,723/year (purchasing power: $76,243).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Somerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Somerville grew 20.7% from $31.98/hr (2019) to $38.59/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.99/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 Somerville 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 Somerville
Exploring the earnings potential for part-time law enforcement work in Somerville illustrates how a 3-day workweek can yield different financial outcomes. Assuming a part-time officer works 24 hours weekly at the median rate, they could take home about $61,250 annually, contrasting with the complete earnings of a full-time officer. The reality for per diem police officer pay often falls within the constraints of agency contracts. Many officers also tap into overtime pay, which can increase earnings significantly—sometimes by 20-50% during court appearances or special details. Hourly variations are prevalent across employer types, with officers in municipal departments experiencing different rates than those affiliated with state or federal agencies. Benefits like health insurance can sway decisions, prompting some officers to accept lower hourly wages for stability. Negotiating salary in Somerville requires a solid understanding of these variables, especially in a community where policing standards and compensation differ significantly based on department type and specific responsibilities.
More salary data for Somerville, 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 Somerville. 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 Somerville 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