Police Officer Hourly Pay in Cottage Grove, MN: $37.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Cottage Grove, MN runs $37.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,555 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Cottage Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,139 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $37.77, slightly above the national median of $37.76. This competitive pay reflects the responsibilities associated with the role. Part-time and per-diem police officers, working typically three days a week, can expect to earn significantly based on this hourly structure while taking on various duties from patrols and emergency responses to report writing at the police station. The hourly pay range for officers in this community varies widely, from $23.95 at the entry level to $53.93 for those at the higher end of the scale. This variation signifies not only the experience levels of officers but also the potential shifts in responsibilities in unique operational settings such as SWAT operations, K-9 units, or during specific investigations.
About the Cottage Grove 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) | $23.95 | $191.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.30 | $234.40 |
| Median (P50) | $37.77 | $302.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.94 | $375.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.93 | $431.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cottage Grove
Based on $37.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.77/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cottage Grove, MN can expect to earn approximately $78,565 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,326. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cottage Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cottage Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,510.86 | $6,547 | $78,565 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $906.52 | $3,928 | $47,139 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $604.34 | $2,619 | $31,426 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Cottage Grove) | $37.77 |
| 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 Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $78,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.02% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $79,590.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.77/hr = $47,139/year (purchasing power: $47,857).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,565/year (purchasing power: $79,761).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Cottage Grove grew 20.7% from $30.37/hr (2019) to $36.65/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.93/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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
For part-time officers working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home can amount to approximately $47,182, a stark contrast against the earnings of a full-time officer which could exceed $78,555. Many officers appreciated not only the hourly pay but the possibility of overtime, which increases earnings by 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances, special assignments, or extended shifts, often adding an essential 20-50% to their income. The per diem police officer pay in Cottage Grove provides additional earning opportunities, especially in off-duty assignments that could command rates between $35 and $75 an hour. With the municipal police department, county sheriff's offices, and state law enforcement all differentiated by pay scales and benefits, officers must weigh their options carefully. Accepting a lower hourly rate may come with comprehensive health benefits, while opting for higher hourly pay could leave officers responsible for their own health care. For those negotiating hourly rates, understanding local pay structures and potential benefits is crucial in making an informed decision about their financial future in public safety careers.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove. 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 Cottage Grove 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