Police Officer Hourly Pay in Austin, MN: $36.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Austin, MN runs $36.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,281 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,171 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer hourly pay in Austin, MN, is projected to reach a median of $36.19, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $37.76. This hourly rate positions police officers in Austin to earn a respectable income while working in diverse environments — whether they are patrolling the streets, writing reports at the police station, or testifying in court. For part-time officers working around three days a week, this rate translates to a stable income that can support a comfortable living, particularly in a city with a cost of living index of 98.5, indicating affordability compared to the national average. The hourly range for police officers in Austin varies significantly, from $22.16 at the entry level to $52.22 for top earners, emphasizing both the opportunities for career advancement and the financial investment involved in this crucial public service profession.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.16 | $177.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.61 | $220.88 |
| Median (P50) | $36.19 | $289.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.32 | $362.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.22 | $417.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $36.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.19/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, MN can expect to earn approximately $75,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,434. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,447.79 | $6,274 | $75,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $868.67 | $3,764 | $45,171 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $579.11 | $2,509 | $30,114 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Austin) | $36.19 |
| 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 Austin, MN earn a median of $75,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $79,578.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.19/hr = $45,171/year (purchasing power: $45,859).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,285/year (purchasing power: $76,431).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Austin grew 20.7% from $29.10/hr (2019) to $35.12/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.30/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 Austin 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 Austin
Considering part-time roles, a police officer working just 24 hours a week could expect to take home about $45,000 annually, noticeably less than a full-time officer's earnings. Additionally, the nature of police work often includes mandatory overtime, which can significantly boost earnings; officers frequently receive 1.5 times their base hourly rate for court appearances, special operations, and extended shifts, making overtime a critical factor in their pay structure. Per diem assignments—whether for event security or special details—can pay anywhere from $35 to $75 per hour, providing further avenues for income generation. The variety of employer types, such as municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement, can cause pay disparity, affecting the hourly rate offered to officers. For those balancing their hourly pay with benefits, it's essential to consider the trade-offs; some may opt for lower hourly compensation in exchange for robust health insurance, especially when weighing future pension benefits. Officers seeking to negotiate their pay should focus on their qualifications and experience, while staying informed about local pay standards and demands in Austin's law enforcement community.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
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 Austin. 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 Austin 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