Police Officer Hourly Pay in Traverse City, MI: $32.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Traverse City, MI runs $32.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,102 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Traverse City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,862 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Traverse City, Michigan, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is set at $32.74, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This wage structure can impact those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, as many officers typically work 24 hours a week over three days. This arrangement allows officers to work diverse roles within the department, from patrolling assigned beats to engaging in report-writing and court testimony. The hourly rate spans a wide range, with entry-level officers earning approximately $23.11 and seasoned professionals reaching up to $39.21, as reported by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data. These figures are critical for understanding the financial landscape of policing in Traverse City, especially when considering the varying responsibilities officers assume across different settings.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.11 | $184.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.86 | $238.85 |
| Median (P50) | $32.74 | $261.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.22 | $289.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.21 | $313.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Traverse City
Based on $32.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.74/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Traverse City, MI can expect to earn approximately $68,104 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,291. With a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Traverse City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Traverse City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,309.69 | $5,675 | $68,104 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $785.81 | $3,405 | $40,862 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $523.87 | $2,270 | $27,241 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Traverse City) | $32.74 |
| 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 Traverse City, MI earn a median of $68,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.29% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 9.20% below the Michigan state average of $75,002.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.74/hr = $40,862/year (purchasing power: $43,763).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,104/year (purchasing power: $72,938).
CoL index: 93.372 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Traverse City grew 20.7% from $26.33/hr (2019) to $31.77/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.74/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 Traverse 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 Traverse City
Analyzing the pay structure further reveals interesting contrasts for part-time officers who work 24 hours a week; they can expect to take home around $40,749 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Overtime plays a vital role in boosting police earnings; with many officers earning 1.5 times their base hourly rate for court appearances and special assignments, it is common for these earnings to exceed the initial salary. Part-time work also introduces a dynamic where off-duty opportunities, such as event security, can reflect pay rates between $35 and $75 per hour. Additionally, the variation in hourly rates often depends on the type of employer, with municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement agencies differing widely in pay scales. Therefore, some officers might opt for lower hourly rates when they come with comprehensive health benefits, highlighting the trade-offs in compensation. Proper negotiation skills can lead Traverse City police officers to seek optimal hourly compensation in alignment with their roles and responsibilities.
More salary data for Traverse 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 Traverse 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, 2-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