Police Officer Hourly Pay in Waltham, MA: $38.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Waltham, MA runs $38.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,422 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Waltham's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,653 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waltham, the police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $38.18 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive rate is significant, especially for part-time officers working three days a week, who can expect to earn approximately $30,000 annually based on a 24-hour work schedule. Those in the field often take on diverse responsibilities, such as patrolling neighborhoods, responding to emergency calls, and testifying in court, which all contribute to the intricacy of police work. The hourly range for officers in Waltham illustrates a broad spectrum; entry-level officers can expect around $24.43, while experienced officers or those in specialized roles may earn up to $57.39 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, indicating a well-rounded financial outlook for both full-time and per diem positions in law enforcement within the region.
About the Waltham 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) | $24.43 | $195.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.89 | $239.10 |
| Median (P50) | $38.18 | $305.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.87 | $390.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.39 | $459.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waltham
Based on $38.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.18/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waltham, MA can expect to earn approximately $79,422 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,820. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Waltham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waltham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,527.35 | $6,619 | $79,422 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $916.41 | $3,971 | $47,653 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $610.94 | $2,647 | $31,769 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Waltham) | $38.18 |
| 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 Waltham, MA earn a median of $79,422 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.12% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,626.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.18/hr = $47,653/year (purchasing power: $43,920).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,422/year (purchasing power: $73,200).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Waltham grew 20.7% from $30.70/hr (2019) to $37.05/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.35/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 Waltham 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 Waltham
Evaluating part-time police work in Waltham reveals the potential for significant earnings despite a reduced schedule. A police officer working 24 hours weekly could see their earnings rise considerably when factoring in overtime opportunities, especially for court appearances or special assignments, which often pay 1.5 times the base rate. This could translate to as much as 20-50% increases in income during peak periods. Moreover, various employment types influence hourly compensation; municipal police departments may provide structured pay, while private security or federal roles can yield different remuneration landscapes. Offering benefits, such as health insurance, impacts decision-making for many officers who may accept a lower hourly wage in exchange for more comprehensive coverage. Officers can negotiate effectively by highlighting their experience and certifications, addressing the balance of income vs. benefits crucial in the decision-making process related to their career paths.
More salary data for Waltham, 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 Waltham. 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 Waltham 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