Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $46.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lincoln, NE runs $46.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,547 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,930 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the police officer hourly pay stands at a median of $46.42, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This rate is advantageous for those working part-time or in per diem roles. Officers working three days a week can take home a substantial paycheck while gaining relevant experience in various police settings like patrol vehicles, booking rooms, and special operations units. For aspiring officers or those transitioning to different roles, the hourly compensation ranges from $31.05 for entry-level positions to $47.09 for seasoned specialists. This data, sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS information, reflects the forthcoming trends in police compensation in Lincoln, providing insight into the competitive nature of police officer hourly pay in NE.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.05 | $248.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.90 | $295.16 |
| Median (P50) | $46.42 | $371.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.55 | $372.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.09 | $376.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $46.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.42/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $96,550 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,702. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,856.73 | $8,046 | $96,550 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,114.04 | $4,827 | $57,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $742.69 | $3,218 | $38,620 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lincoln) | $46.42 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $96,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.92% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 34.30% above the Nebraska state average of $71,889.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.42/hr = $57,930/year (purchasing power: $63,255).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,550/year (purchasing power: $105,426).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lincoln grew 39.7% from $32.23/hr (2019) to $45.04/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.84/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
When considering part-time employment, a police officer in Lincoln working a typical 24-hour week could expect to earn roughly $58,037 annually, which is notably less than full-time counterparts. The reality for per diem police officers often involves working outside standard schedules, often securing additional income through overtime that can boost earnings considerably—sometimes by 20-50% during court appearances or special assignments. Various departments, including municipal, county, and federal law enforcement, offer different compensation structures; officers in federal agencies might find their hourly rates more lucrative, but potentially at the cost of heightened responsibilities. Those who prioritize health benefits might opt for lower hourly wages within municipal departments, while others could seek higher per diem police officer pay in Lincoln, capitalizing on opportunities for additional work. Negotiating pay potential in this field might also consider the total compensation package, including health insurance and retirement benefits, which can sway decisions significantly.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Lincoln in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Lincoln?
Are police officers in Lincoln paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Lincoln?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Lincoln?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 Lincoln. 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