Police Officer Hourly Pay in Moorhead, MN: $36.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Moorhead, MN runs $36.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Moorhead's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,930 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median hourly rate for police officers in Moorhead, Minnesota, is projected to be $36.80, which is slightly below the national median of $37.76. This competitive pay reflects the city's efforts to maintain a stable police workforce capable of handling diverse operational tasks in various settings, such as patrolling assigned beats, managing bookings at police stations, and providing court testimonies. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate can yield substantial earnings, particularly if they engage in both regular shifts and per diem work in areas like event security or special assignments. The overall hourly range spans from $24.79 at the entry-level to $55.48 for seasoned professionals, indicating a significant potential for growth as officers gain experience in the field.
About the Moorhead 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) | $24.79 | $198.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.63 | $237.04 |
| Median (P50) | $36.80 | $294.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.46 | $363.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.48 | $443.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moorhead
Based on $36.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.80/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moorhead, MN can expect to earn approximately $76,550 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,163. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Moorhead.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moorhead
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,472.11 | $6,379 | $76,550 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $883.27 | $3,827 | $45,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $588.84 | $2,552 | $30,620 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Moorhead) | $36.80 |
| 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 Moorhead, MN earn a median of $76,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $79,572.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.80/hr = $45,930/year (purchasing power: $46,629).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,550/year (purchasing power: $77,715).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Moorhead grew 20.7% from $29.59/hr (2019) to $35.71/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.93/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 Moorhead 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 Moorhead
Considering a part-time dispatcher working around 24 hours each week could take home about $46,873 annually, full-time officers typically experience a considerable earnings increase. The nature of police work often includes mandatory overtime, particularly for tasks such as court appearances or special details, which can elevate overall compensation by 20-50%. Moreover, opportunities for extra-duty assignments, commonly compensated at rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, provide clear avenues for financial resilience. Salaries vary depending on the sector of employment—municipal, county, or federal—and some officers might accept a lower hourly wage in exchange for extensive benefits like health insurance. For those seeking positions in Moorhead, negotiations can be strategically approached by emphasizing relevant experience and the value gained from any specialized training acquired during POST academy training.
More salary data for Moorhead, 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 Moorhead. 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 Moorhead 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