Police Officer Hourly Pay in Hastings, NE: $33.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Hastings, NE runs $33.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,114 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Hastings's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,071 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hastings, Nebraska, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $33.71, which falls below the national hourly median of $37.76. For officers considering part-time work, typically defined as three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,070 weekly based on a standard 24-hour work schedule. Such positions involve various responsibilities, including patrolling assigned beats, conducting interviews in investigation rooms, and participating in specialized operations like SWAT. For those just starting their careers, the entry-level pay aligns around $20.73 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $48.57 per hour, highlighting a significant opportunity for progression within the profession. These hourly rates are derived from estimates based on annual salary data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.73 | $165.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.67 | $205.38 |
| Median (P50) | $33.71 | $269.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.16 | $337.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.57 | $388.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hastings
Based on $33.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.71/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hastings, NE can expect to earn approximately $70,119 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,453. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hastings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hastings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,348.44 | $5,843 | $70,119 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $809.06 | $3,506 | $42,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $539.37 | $2,337 | $28,047 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Hastings) | $33.71 |
| 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 Hastings, NE earn a median of $70,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.73% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $71,838.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.71/hr = $42,071/year (purchasing power: $45,979).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,119/year (purchasing power: $76,632).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Hastings grew 20.7% from $27.10/hr (2019) to $32.71/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.74/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 Hastings 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 Hastings
Considering the part-time earning potential, a police officer working three days a week can still accumulate impressive annual earnings, though significantly less than full-time colleagues. This distinction is crucial when weighing options in the police field, as part-time officers may not receive the same benefits as full-time staff, including health insurance. Many law enforcement officers engage in per-diem work, which allows flexibility but often comes without the stable benefits of salaried positions. Overtime is a significant factor in police work, with court appearances and special assignments frequently yielding time-and-a-half pay, potentially increasing an officer's hourly rate by 20-50%. The diverse employer types in Hastings also influence compensation, with roles available in municipal, county, state, and federal agencies varying broadly in pay scales. Officers negotiating their hourly rates in Hastings should consider the benefits package as part of their overall compensation, especially given the trade-offs between potentially higher pay without benefits and a lower hourly wage coupled with health coverage.
More salary data for Hastings, 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 Hastings. 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 Hastings 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