Police Officer Hourly Pay in Hamilton, NJ: $42.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Hamilton, NJ runs $42.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,945 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Hamilton's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,772 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Hamilton, NJ, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $42.29, marking a significant increase over the national hourly median of $37.76. This advantageous rate offers professionals within law enforcement positions flexible earning potential, particularly for those considering part-time or per-diem work. Officers on a part-time schedule, for instance, working three days a week, could find themselves in various operational settings, from patrol duties to specialized units like SWAT. With an hourly range that spans from $26.93 for entry-level positions to $63.34 for experienced officers, the pay reflects the diverse nature of police work. The hourly rates provided here are estimates derived from overall annual salary data and serve as a crucial factor for policing careers, especially in urban environments like Hamilton where cost of living and operational demands can impact overall compensation.
About the Hamilton 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) | $26.93 | $215.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.04 | $264.33 |
| Median (P50) | $42.29 | $338.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.12 | $432.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.34 | $506.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hamilton
Based on $42.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.29/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hamilton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $87,954 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,743. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hamilton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hamilton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,691.42 | $7,329 | $87,954 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,014.85 | $4,398 | $52,772 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $676.57 | $2,932 | $35,182 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Hamilton) | $42.29 |
| 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 Hamilton, NJ earn a median of $87,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.97% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.80% below the New Jersey state average of $90,479.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.29/hr = $52,772/year (purchasing power: $45,809).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,954/year (purchasing power: $76,349).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Hamilton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Hamilton grew 20.7% from $34.00/hr (2019) to $41.03/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.58/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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton
When examining the earning potential for part-time officers in Hamilton, a typical three-day work schedule, equating to around 24 hours weekly, could yield earnings that drastically differ from full-time counterparts. Full-time officers benefit from regular overtime opportunities, which can enhance their pay significantly—often adding 20-50% to their base earnings with court appearances and extra-duty assignments frequently paid at rates from $35 to $75 per hour. Different types of law enforcement agencies in Hamilton, such as municipal police departments and federal organizations, often have varied hourly compensation structures. Some officers might choose positions with lower hourly rates that come with strong benefit packages, while others might prioritize higher compensation without healthcare benefits. Understanding how to negotiate effectively based on these factors can make a substantial difference in career choices for police officers in Hamilton, especially given the competitive landscape of law enforcement roles in both urban and rural settings across NJ.
More salary data for Hamilton, 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 Hamilton. 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 Hamilton 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