Police Officer Hourly Pay in Joplin, MO: $22.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Joplin, MO runs $22.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,851 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Joplin's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,116 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $22.53, a figure that is considerably lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate translates to various work scenarios, especially for part-time officers working three days a week. For those on flexible schedules, the compensation is structured around active assignments, which can include duties in patrol vehicles, working in police stations during report writing, or engaging in court testimonies. The hourly rate ranges from $18.64 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $35.08 for the top earners (90th percentile). These figures, sourced from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the financial landscape for police officers within Joplin's law enforcement environment.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.64 | $149.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.83 | $158.63 |
| Median (P50) | $22.53 | $180.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.64 | $229.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.08 | $280.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Joplin
Based on $22.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.53/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Joplin, MO can expect to earn approximately $46,860 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,035. With a cost-of-living index of 85.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Joplin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Joplin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $901.16 | $3,905 | $46,860 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $540.69 | $2,343 | $28,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.46 | $1,562 | $18,744 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Joplin) | $22.53 |
| 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 Joplin, MO earn a median of $46,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.35% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 23.20% below the Missouri state average of $61,004.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.53/hr = $28,116/year (purchasing power: $32,801).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,860/year (purchasing power: $54,668).
CoL index: 85.718 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Joplin grew 19.1% from $18.36/hr (2019) to $21.86/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.22/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 Joplin 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 Joplin
Considering a part-time commitment of 24 hours per week, a police officer in Joplin could expect to take home approximately $28,080 annually, a figure quite different from a full-time officer's potential earnings. In reality, many officers supplement their income through per-diem jobs or agency roles, with extra-duty assignments that can generate significant additional pay, often ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the work. The hourly rates can vary dramatically based on the type of law enforcement agency—whether municipal, county, or federal—with some opting for positions with higher hourly wages but fewer benefits, such as health insurance. Officers in Joplin may find that negotiating for better hourly pay, while considering the trade-offs of job security and benefits, is essential for long-term financial well-being. Additionally, participation in organized labor, through groups like NLEA or FOP, may further enhance their potential for improved compensation outcomes in the field.
More salary data for Joplin, 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 Joplin. 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