Police Officer Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $38.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Rochester, MN runs $38.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,756 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, police officers can expect a median hourly pay of $38.27, which is slightly above the national median of $37.76. This figure not only reflects the city's investment in law enforcement but also offers a viable earning potential for part-time officers working roughly three days a week. For those covering shifts in patrol vehicles or engaging in specialized activities like SWAT operations and court testimonies, this hourly wage positions them competitively within the profession. With an hourly pay range stretching from $30.37 for entry-level officers to $47.78 for those at the top of their career, it positions Rochester's law enforcement pay structure favorably within the broader context of police officer hourly pay across the state of Minnesota.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.37 | $242.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.34 | $258.72 |
| Median (P50) | $38.27 | $306.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.54 | $356.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.78 | $382.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $38.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.27/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $79,594 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,919. With a cost-of-living index of 90.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,530.65 | $6,633 | $79,594 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $918.39 | $3,980 | $47,756 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $612.26 | $2,653 | $31,837 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Rochester) | $38.27 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $79,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $78,542.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.27/hr = $47,756/year (purchasing power: $52,583).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,594/year (purchasing power: $87,638).
CoL index: 90.821 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Rochester grew 15.3% from $32.21/hr (2019) to $37.13/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.44/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
When considering part-time roles, officers working a standard 24-hour week could expect to take home approximately $47,000 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts but still a reasonable income for those balancing other commitments. Per diem police officer pay in Rochester demonstrates a growing trend where officers engage in off-duty assignments at rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour for events or security details. Municipal pay models vary widely, with many opting for positions within sheriff's offices or federal agencies, which often yield higher hourly rates but come with varying benefits packages. Those prioritizing comprehensive health insurance may find traditional salaried police roles more desirable, even at lower hourly rates, alongside the option for overtime pay that can substantially boost overall earnings. This variability invites potential police officers to assess the trade-offs between immediate hourly compensation and long-term benefits, informing their career journey in this vital public service field.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 Rochester. 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, 7-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