Police Officer Hourly Pay in Independence, MO: $29.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Independence, MO runs $29.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,222 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Independence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,338 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Independence, Missouri, police officers have a median hourly pay of $29.92, which falls significantly below the national median of $37.76. This disparity highlights the challenges that local police face, especially those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. A police officer working three days a week might find the pay insufficient compared to the demands of the job, which includes various duties such as patrolling neighborhoods, performing administrative tasks at the precinct, and testifying in court. Hourly wages for officers in Independence range widely, from approximately $19.20 for those just starting out to as much as $46.37 for the top earners, reflecting the potential for advancement in their careers while emphasizing the need for competitive compensation in the region.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.20 | $153.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.52 | $188.15 |
| Median (P50) | $29.92 | $239.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.87 | $303.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.37 | $370.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Independence
Based on $29.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.92/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Independence, MO can expect to earn approximately $62,230 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,902. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Independence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Independence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.73 | $5,186 | $62,230 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.04 | $3,112 | $37,338 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.69 | $2,074 | $24,892 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Independence) | $29.92 |
| 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 Independence, MO earn a median of $62,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.78% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.10% above the Missouri state average of $60,943.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.92/hr = $37,338/year (purchasing power: $41,672).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,230/year (purchasing power: $69,453).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Independence grew 20.7% from $24.06/hr (2019) to $29.03/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.83/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 Independence 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 Independence
Examining the potential earnings closely, a part-time police officer in Independence working 24 hours a week would make significantly less than their full-time counterparts due to the limits on their schedules. While full-time officers may benefit from mandatory overtime and additional pay for special assignments, part-timers may miss out on these lucrative opportunities. Emergency details and off-duty work, often paying $35-$75 per hour, contrast sharply with the regular hourly rate. Furthermore, different types of law enforcement agencies within the area offer varying compensation structures, where federal positions may command higher rates, but local departments might provide better health benefits, influencing officers' choices. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local market and the added value of benefits can be essential; thus, police officers in Independence must be strategic in discussions to ensure their remuneration reflects their dedication and the realities of the job.
More salary data for Independence, MO:
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 Independence. 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 Independence 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