Police Officer Hourly Pay in Prior Lake, MN: $37.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Prior Lake, MN runs $37.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Prior Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,740 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Prior Lake, Minnesota, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $37.45, slightly below the national median of $37.76. This rate significantly impacts part-time officers, who may work 24 hours a week, translating to a notable income while they manage other responsibilities. With entry-level officers starting at an hourly rate of $23.18 and top earners making up to $56.40, the pay scale can be quite diverse. These hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the various duties that officers undertake, including patrol duties, court obligations, and participation in specialized units. The diverse array of environments in which officers operate influences their earning potential and job satisfaction.
About the Prior Lake 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) | $23.18 | $185.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.67 | $229.37 |
| Median (P50) | $37.45 | $299.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.20 | $369.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.40 | $451.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Prior Lake
Based on $37.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.45/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Prior Lake, MN can expect to earn approximately $77,900 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,942. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Prior Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Prior Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,498.08 | $6,492 | $77,900 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $898.85 | $3,895 | $46,740 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $599.23 | $2,597 | $31,160 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Prior Lake) | $37.45 |
| 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 Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $77,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $79,571.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.45/hr = $46,740/year (purchasing power: $47,452).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,900/year (purchasing power: $79,086).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Prior Lake grew 20.7% from $30.11/hr (2019) to $36.34/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.60/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 Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake
When considering part-time opportunities, an officer working three days a week might anticipate an annual take-home that can vary considerably compared to full-timers, especially when accounting for benefits and overtime. Police work often includes mandatory overtime; duties extending beyond a regular shift can yield time-and-a-half pay, adding an additional 20-50% to base earnings. Many officers also secure per diem work for events or specialized assignments, with payment rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. The type of employment significantly influences hourly earnings within Prior Lake's law enforcement landscape, as various departments and roles—from municipal police to federal agents—carry different pay structures. This complexity offers officers the choice of accepting higher hourly wages without benefits or lower rates with health insurance and pension plans, leading to differing financial strategies among them. Negotiating pay effectively involves understanding local market conditions and knowing what compensation packages are standard for various police roles in the area.
More salary data for Prior Lake, 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 Prior Lake. 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 Prior Lake 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