Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $33.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kearney, NE runs $33.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,205 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,518 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $33.27, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This disparity suggests that police work in Kearney, while essential, comes with a financial trade-off. For officers working part-time, perhaps as little as three days per week, this hourly rate translates into a manageable, albeit limited, income. With shifts primarily taking place in patrol vehicles or at the police station, the typical part-time officer will find this pay offers a solid baseline for their contributions in community safety. For those just starting their careers, entry-level roles offer hourly rates around $22.34, while experienced officers or those in specialized units can see earnings peak at approximately $49.15 per hour. These figures provide insight into the financial dynamics at play for police officers in this Midwestern city.
About the Kearney 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) | $22.34 | $178.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.84 | $214.69 |
| Median (P50) | $33.27 | $266.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.35 | $338.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.15 | $393.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $33.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.27/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $69,197 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,921. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,330.71 | $5,766 | $69,197 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $798.43 | $3,460 | $41,518 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.28 | $2,307 | $27,679 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kearney) | $33.27 |
| 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 Kearney, NE earn a median of $69,205 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $71,864.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.27/hr = $41,518/year (purchasing power: $45,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,197/year (purchasing power: $75,625).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kearney grew 20.7% from $26.75/hr (2019) to $32.28/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.29/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 Kearney 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 Kearney
Looking closer at the earning potential for part-time officers in Kearney, one can see how the compensation structure unfolds differently than that of full-time counterparts. A part-time officer working a total of 24 hours over three days weekly may take home around $41,877 annually, while full-time officers would achieve a much higher annualized income. Moreover, since police work often requires overtime for court appearances, special assignments, and other duties, this can significantly boost income. Officers have the potential to increase their earnings by taking on cash opportunities for off-duty work, often ranging from $35 to $75 an hour, which many find appealing as supplemental income. Hourly rates can also vary significantly based on the employer type; municipal officers may earn different wages compared to county sheriff’s offices or federal agencies. While some might opt for the security of benefits associated with public sector roles, others might find private security jobs appealing for the higher pay but lack the benefits. In an evolving job market, negotiation can play a key role, especially in Kearney’s unique law enforcement landscape, where understanding your worth in terms of hourly pay can lead to better compensation packages.
More salary data for Kearney, 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 Kearney. 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 Kearney 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