Police Officer Hourly Pay in Newark, NJ: $52.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Newark, NJ runs $52.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,930 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Newark's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,364 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Newark, New Jersey, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is $52.38, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This substantial hourly rate offers attractive earnings potential for both full-time and part-time officers. For those working three days a week, the role remains appealing due to its viability in various settings, including patrol vehicles, police stations, and during court testimonies. Entry-level officers can anticipate hourly earnings starting as low as $30.37, while the highest earners can achieve rates up to $81.17. Newark's competitive pay reflects not just the city’s cost of living, which exceeds the national average, but also the diverse tasks police officers undertake, ranging from road patrols to complex criminal investigations.
About the Newark 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) | $30.37 | $242.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.14 | $329.13 |
| Median (P50) | $52.38 | $419.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.03 | $536.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.17 | $649.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Newark
Based on $52.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.38/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Newark, NJ can expect to earn approximately $108,940 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,850. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Newark.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Newark
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,095.00 | $9,078 | $108,940 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,257.00 | $5,447 | $65,364 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $838.00 | $3,631 | $43,576 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Newark) | $52.38 |
| 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 Newark, NJ earn a median of $108,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.69% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 20.40% above the New Jersey state average of $90,474.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.38/hr = $65,364/year (purchasing power: $56,740).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,940/year (purchasing power: $94,566).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Newark (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Newark grew 20.7% from $42.11/hr (2019) to $50.82/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.98/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 Newark 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 Newark
Considering the part-time landscape, a police officer working 24 hours a week in Newark taps into diverse earning opportunities. While a full-time officer might bring home a higher annual figure, part-time roles often allow for significant flexibility. For instance, police officers working per diem can occasionally receive rates upwards of $35 to $75 per hour for extra duties, such as security assignments or detailed investigations. With mandatory overtime commonplace in this field for court appearances or emergency responses, many officers see their base hourly rates bolstered by 20-50%. Additionally, working for different types of employers—including municipal departments, state police, or federal law enforcement agencies—can greatly influence overall pay scales and benefits. Some officers opt for positions that offer lower hourly rates in exchange for better health insurance and retirement plans, which highlights a critical trade-off for those in law enforcement. When negotiating their terms, Newark police officers should effectively communicate their value, considering both hourly flexibility and benefits.
More salary data for Newark, 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 Newark. 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 Newark 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