Police Officer Hourly Pay in University City, MO: $28.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in University City, MO runs $28.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,109 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against University City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,065 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In University City, Missouri, the police officer hourly pay is projected at $28.90 for 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This rate reflects not only the local economic conditions but also the varying demands and settings in which officers operate. Typically, officers split their time among routine patrol, report writing, and court testimony. For those seeking part-time or per diem roles, working three days a week could equate to about 24 hours, translating to a base of $694.40 weekly before deductions. Entry-level officers earn around $18.24 hourly, while top earners may make up to $41.12, showcasing a range that accommodates new recruits and seasoned professionals alike. It’s essential to recognize that these hourly pay estimates are derived from annual salary projections.
About the University City 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) | $18.24 | $145.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.38 | $179.08 |
| Median (P50) | $28.90 | $231.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.51 | $292.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.12 | $328.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in University City
Based on $28.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.90/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in University City, MO can expect to earn approximately $60,108 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,678. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in University City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in University City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,155.92 | $5,009 | $60,108 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $693.55 | $3,005 | $36,065 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.37 | $2,004 | $24,043 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (University City) | $28.90 |
| 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 University City, MO earn a median of $60,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.47% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $60,962.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.90/hr = $36,065/year (purchasing power: $40,251).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,108/year (purchasing power: $67,085).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in University City grew 20.7% from $23.23/hr (2019) to $28.04/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.78/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 University City 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 University City
For part-time officers in University City, the financial picture varies markedly compared to full-time colleagues. A three-day workweek at the hourly rate might net an annual take-home significantly less than a full-time officer earning based on a standard 40-hour week. This disparity is exacerbated in police work, where salary positions often include mandatory overtime for court appearances or special assignments, boosting pay by 20-50% in many cases. Per diem opportunities, such as event security and extra-duty assignments, can fetch between $35 and $75 hourly, further differentiating the financial landscape. The type of employer also influences hourly rates; municipal departments offer distinct compensation structures compared to county and state agencies or federal law enforcement positions. Finally, while lower hourly rates in University City may come with valuable benefits like health insurance, the choice for many officers rests on their priorities between immediate pay and long-term security, necessitating careful negotiation especially when considering their worth in a market where urban salaries often eclipse rural rates.
More salary data for University City, 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 University City. 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 University City 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