Police Officer Hourly Pay in East Brunswick, NJ: $42.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in East Brunswick, NJ runs $42.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against East Brunswick's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,120 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, police officers in East Brunswick, NJ, will earn a median hourly rate of $42.56, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This competitive rate enhances the appeal for part-time officers and those considering per diem police officer pay in East Brunswick. For instance, an officer working three days a week can expect to earn approximately $2,042 per week at this hourly rate, making it a viable option for those balancing other commitments. Depending on experience and role, officers in East Brunswick will see hourly earnings ranging from $26.37 at the entry level to as much as $64.07 for top earners, reflecting the varied responsibilities and skills required in different positions such as patrol, investigations, or specialized units. These hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary data, indicating a stable compensation framework for law enforcement professionals in the region.
About the East Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.37 | $210.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.57 | $260.54 |
| Median (P50) | $42.56 | $340.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.53 | $420.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.07 | $512.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Brunswick
Based on $42.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.56/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Brunswick, NJ can expect to earn approximately $88,533 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,077. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Brunswick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Brunswick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,702.55 | $7,378 | $88,533 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,021.53 | $4,427 | $53,120 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $681.02 | $2,951 | $35,413 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (East Brunswick) | $42.56 |
| 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 East Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $88,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.71% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.20% below the New Jersey state average of $90,519.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.56/hr = $53,120/year (purchasing power: $46,111).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,533/year (purchasing power: $76,851).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in East Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in East Brunswick grew 20.7% from $34.22/hr (2019) to $41.30/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.87/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 East Brunswick 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 East Brunswick
For part-time officers working 24-hour weeks, the annual earnings can differ substantially compared to full-time counterparts. While a full-time officer can expect a salary of around $88,528 annually, part-timers bringing home a salary reflective of their reduced hours mean they may earn under $50,000 a year, depending on their workload. Overtime opportunities can significantly influence earnings, providing additional financial incentive through extra pay for court appearances or special events, which are often compensated at 1.5 times the base rate, enhancing the police officer hourly pay in East Brunswick. Various employment types, including municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement, create a diverse market where hourly rates might vary widely. Moreover, some officers may accept lower hourly rates for the comprehensive benefits such as health insurance provided by city departments, contrasting with the higher recognized pay associated with freelance security roles. When discussing compensation, officers should weigh benefits against hourly pay, and it can be beneficial to negotiate terms based on these considerations, given the competitive nature of police work in NJ.
More salary data for East Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in East Brunswick in 2026?
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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 East Brunswick. 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 East Brunswick 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