Police Officer Hourly Pay in Grand Island, NE: $36.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Grand Island, NE runs $36.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,966 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Grand Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,583 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Island, Nebraska, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $36.52, which falls below the national median of $37.76. This rate reflects the earnings of officers across various duties, from patrolling assigned beats to providing testimony in courtrooms. For part-time officers working three days a week, this translates into a structured schedule that leads to approximately $1,500 weekly, a suitable income in this area. Entry-level positions start at $28.87 per hour, while seasoned officers can earn up to $43.74, highlighting the earning potential within this profession. The BLS data indicates that this compensation effectively supports officers working in diverse settings, including patrol vehicles, police stations, and specialized operations, underscoring the multifaceted responsibilities of law enforcement personnel in the community.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.87 | $230.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.30 | $250.39 |
| Median (P50) | $36.52 | $292.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.19 | $345.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.74 | $349.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Island
Based on $36.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.52/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Island, NE can expect to earn approximately $75,971 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,829. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,460.98 | $6,331 | $75,971 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $876.59 | $3,799 | $45,583 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.39 | $2,532 | $30,388 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Grand Island) | $36.52 |
| 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 Grand Island, NE earn a median of $75,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.28% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.70% above the Nebraska state average of $71,869.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.52/hr = $45,583/year (purchasing power: $52,601).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,971/year (purchasing power: $87,668).
CoL index: 86.657 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Grand Island grew 20.9% from $29.32/hr (2019) to $35.44/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.64/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 Grand Island 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 Grand Island
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time officers highlights significant differences against full-time commitments. A 24-hour work week can bring in about $30,844 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart who might earn upwards of $75,966. However, overtime opportunities can enhance a police officer's hourly earnings, often providing additional income due to mandatory overtime for court duties or urgent assignments. Extra-duty shifts present lucrative options, with rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, adding substantial value to a police officer's total pay. Furthermore, police officer hourly pay in Grand Island can vary based on the type of agency—municipal departments may offer lower base pay, while federal law enforcement positions often command higher salaries due to their extensive responsibilities and benefits. Officers must weigh the benefit of health insurance against higher hourly rates offered by some agencies, making salary negotiation a vital skill in this field. Additionally, veterans may find opportunities in private security, completing the circle of careers available post law enforcement.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
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 Grand Island. 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