Police Officer Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $35.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Bay City, MI runs $35.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,193 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,923 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, police officer hourly pay in Bay City, Michigan, stands at a median of $35.19, which is lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This rate reflects the financial compensation available to those serving in various capacities, whether patrolling assigned beats, working in booking and report-writing rooms at police stations, or participating in court trials. For part-time officers working three days a week, their earnings can significantly vary; those on the lower end of the scale might earn around $21.63 per hour, while top earners can make up to $41.50 per hour. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, these figures encompass a range of responsibilities including plainclothes detective work and specialized unit operations, indicating a structured yet diverse work environment for law enforcement professionals in Bay City.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.63 | $173.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.11 | $224.92 |
| Median (P50) | $35.19 | $281.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.59 | $284.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.50 | $332.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $35.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.19/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $73,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,234. With a cost-of-living index of 91.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,407.80 | $6,100 | $73,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $844.68 | $3,660 | $43,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $563.12 | $2,440 | $29,282 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Bay City) | $35.19 |
| 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 Bay City, MI earn a median of $73,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $74,993.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.19/hr = $43,923/year (purchasing power: $47,784).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,206/year (purchasing power: $79,640).
CoL index: 91.921 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Bay City grew 15.9% from $29.47/hr (2019) to $34.15/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.27/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 Bay City 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 Bay City
When considering earning potential, a part-time police officer averaging 24 hours per week can expect to take home a substantially lower annual amount than their full-time counterparts. In addition to regular hourly pay, many officers can supplement their income through per-diem work, where off-duty jobs such as event security or special detail assignments can yield additional earnings between $35 and $75 per hour. The variety of organizational structures in Bay City, including municipal police departments, state patrols, and federal agencies, all contribute to different pay scales, with municipal positions generally offering lower compensation compared to federal law enforcement roles. The trade-off between hourly pay and benefits is significant, as many officers might choose positions offering health insurance and retirement plans at lower rates over higher hourly pay without these benefits. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local job market dynamics and the specific benefits packages available is crucial for making informed decisions regarding their salaries in Bay City, MI.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
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 Bay City. 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