Police Officer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NH: $39.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Rochester, NH runs $39.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,123 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,669 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rochester, New Hampshire, the police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $39.00 in 2026, slightly above the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive rate reflects the city's commitment to law enforcement personnel and offers promising opportunities for both full-time and part-time officers. For part-time officers working three days a week, this means earnings can be bolstered through shifts in varied environments, such as patrol vehicles, police station duties, and special unit operations. New hires can expect to start within an hourly range of approximately $26.33, while experienced officers or those in specialized roles can earn up to $57.58, reflecting the wide range of skill sets and responsibilities across different police department positions in Rochester.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.33 | $210.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.44 | $251.55 |
| Median (P50) | $39.00 | $311.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.62 | $396.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.58 | $460.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $39.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.00/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NH can expect to earn approximately $81,116 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,797. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,559.92 | $6,760 | $81,116 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $935.95 | $4,056 | $48,669 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $623.97 | $2,704 | $32,446 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Rochester) | $39.00 |
| 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 Rochester, NH earn a median of $81,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.70% below the New Hampshire state average of $84,240.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.00/hr = $48,669/year (purchasing power: $45,358).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,116/year (purchasing power: $75,597).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Rochester grew 20.7% from $31.36/hr (2019) to $37.84/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.19/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Examining the earning potential for part-time officers in Rochester brings nuance to the discussion of police work. A 24-hour workweek could translate to about $61,920 annually, which, while significant, pales compared to full-time salaries bolstered by mandatory overtime—the reality for many officers in the field. Often, mandatory overtime can elevate earnings by an additional 20-50% due to court appearances and special duties. For those considering per diem police officer pay in Rochester, it’s not uncommon to find higher hourly rates for off-duty roles in event security or traffic management, where officers can command rates from $35 to $75 per hour. Salaries may vary significantly based on employer type, with municipal positions generally offering stability and benefits, while federal law enforcement can present higher pay scales but also more taxing requirements. Ultimately, decisions surrounding pay in law enforcement are often a balancing act between hourly rates and the value placed on health insurance and job security, further complicated by negotiation strategies unique to this regional market.
More salary data for Rochester, NH:
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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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