Police Officer Hourly Pay in Elizabeth, NJ: $43.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Elizabeth, NJ runs $43.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,308 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Elizabeth's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,779 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabeth, New Jersey, the police officer hourly pay is projected to reach $43.89 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national average of $37.76 per hour. This higher rate reflects not only the cost of living in the region but also the responsibilities and skills required for various police roles, including patrol, investigation, and court-related duties. For part-time police officers working three days a week, which typically equates to around 24 hours, earnings can be attractive, though they will be less than those of full-time officers. The hourly range for police officers in Elizabeth starts at $28.48 for entry-level positions, reaching up to $68.04 for experienced officers and specialized roles, such as those in SWAT or federal investigations. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data, emphasize the financial viability of a career in law enforcement within Elizabeth.
About the Elizabeth 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) | $28.48 | $227.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.87 | $278.92 |
| Median (P50) | $43.89 | $351.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.19 | $449.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.04 | $544.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabeth
Based on $43.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.89/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabeth, NJ can expect to earn approximately $91,298 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,672. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Elizabeth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabeth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,755.73 | $7,608 | $91,298 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,053.44 | $4,565 | $54,779 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $702.29 | $3,043 | $36,519 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Elizabeth) | $43.89 |
| 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 Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $91,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $90,494.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.89/hr = $54,779/year (purchasing power: $47,551).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,298/year (purchasing power: $79,252).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Elizabeth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Elizabeth grew 20.7% from $35.29/hr (2019) to $42.59/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.24/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 Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth
Examining the earning potential for part-time officers reveals a solid opportunity. A police officer working just 24 hours a week could still take home a substantial income, albeit lower than full-time counterparts. In addition, many officers have the chance to enhance their earnings through per-diem work, often seeing pay rates rise significantly—sometimes to $35-$75 per hour—for off-duty assignments such as event security or specialized operations. Officers can also receive overtime pay during court appearances, which typically amplifies their base pay by 20-50%. The variety in hourly rates is reflective of the diverse nature of employment in law enforcement, ranging from municipal departments to federal agencies, each offering different pay structures. Many navigate between accepting slightly lower hourly rates for the stability and benefits, such as health insurance, common in public sector positions compared to higher-paying private security roles without the associated perks. Negotiating these hourly rates effectively requires understanding the unique dynamics and expectations of Elizabeth’s law enforcement environment, particularly as local departments assess their budgets amid broader economic factors.
More salary data for Elizabeth, NJ:
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 Elizabeth. 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 Elizabeth 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