Police Officer Hourly Pay in Worcester, MA: $39.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Worcester, MA runs $39.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,664 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Worcester's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,595 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Worcester, Massachusetts, police officers can expect a competitive median hourly pay of $39.74, which is notably higher than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate reflects a lucrative opportunity, especially for part-time officers working three days a week, allowing them flexibility while still earning a respectable income. The hourly range positions entry-level officers at $29.80, while seasoned veterans can earn up to $50.80 per hour. As a result, officers find their roles across various settings, including routine patrols, police station duties, and specialized operations such as SWAT teams or K-9 units. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights that Worcester's police officer hourly pay is both competitive and reflective of the city's cost of living index of 102.523, which is slightly above the national average.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.80 | $238.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.90 | $287.17 |
| Median (P50) | $39.74 | $317.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.25 | $386.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.80 | $406.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Worcester
Based on $39.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.74/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Worcester, MA can expect to earn approximately $82,659 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,688. With a cost-of-living index of 102.52 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Worcester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Worcester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,589.60 | $6,888 | $82,659 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $953.76 | $4,133 | $49,595 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.84 | $2,755 | $33,064 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Worcester) | $39.74 |
| 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 Worcester, MA earn a median of $82,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,604.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.74/hr = $49,595/year (purchasing power: $48,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,659/year (purchasing power: $80,625).
CoL index: 102.523 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Worcester grew 29.7% from $29.74/hr (2019) to $38.56/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.96/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 Worcester 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 Worcester
Examining the earning potential further, a part-time police officer working 24 hours a week in Worcester would earn approximately $49,530 annually, compared to a full-time officer's earnings at a median of $82,664. The nature of police work often includes mandatory overtime, with officers earning time-and-a-half for vital court appearances or special operations, contributing an additional 20-50% to their earnings. Various forms of per diem police officer pay in Worcester are common as officers take on off-duty assignments, which can range from event security to construction site management, with rates often between $35-$75 an hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the employer, spanning municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and even federal law enforcement agencies. The trade-off between hourly pay and benefits is substantial; some officers might choose positions with lower hourly pay for better health insurance options. Understanding these nuances in Worcester's law enforcement landscape is crucial for working professionals looking to navigate potential job offers effectively.
More salary data for Worcester, 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 Worcester. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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