Police Officer Hourly Pay in Rahway, NJ: $41.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Rahway, NJ runs $41.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Rahway's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,358 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rahway, NJ, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $41.15, slightly above the national hourly median of $37.76. This rate not only reflects competitive compensation within the law enforcement sector but also offers flexible earning potential for part-time officers working three days a week. A typical police officer's role includes various responsibilities, from patrolling assigned beats to engaging in court testimonies, all providing opportunities for varied work hours. Entry-level officers may earn approximately $26.58 per hour, while the top earners could command up to $60.71. These figures suggest a compensation structure that supports career advancement and allows for specialization in roles ranging from special units to investigative services, driven by the hourly estimates derived from BLS data.
About the Rahway 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) | $26.58 | $212.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.32 | $258.56 |
| Median (P50) | $41.15 | $329.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.43 | $419.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.71 | $485.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rahway
Based on $41.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.15/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rahway, NJ can expect to earn approximately $85,596 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,382. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rahway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rahway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,646.07 | $7,133 | $85,596 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $987.64 | $4,280 | $51,358 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $658.43 | $2,853 | $34,238 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Rahway) | $41.15 |
| 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 Rahway, NJ earn a median of $85,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.98% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.40% below the New Jersey state average of $90,479.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.15/hr = $51,358/year (purchasing power: $44,581).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,596/year (purchasing power: $74,302).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Rahway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Rahway grew 20.7% from $33.09/hr (2019) to $39.93/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.41/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 Rahway 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 Rahway
Considering part-time work, an officer on a 24-hour weekly schedule could anticipate earning substantially lesser than a full-time counterpart over the long run. The per diem police officer pay in Rahway may also vary widely based on specific assignments. Officers frequently encounter mandatory overtime, which can yield an additional 20-50% pay increase for events such as court appearances. Depending on their employee type—municipal, state, or federal law enforcement—their hourly pay may fluctuate. Municipal departments tend to offer a lower base rate compared to federal positions, where the earning potential can increase significantly with overtime. Moreover, the decision between accepting lower hourly wages with benefits from a municipal department versus freelance or per diem roles with higher pay but less job security, illustrates the trade-offs faced by law enforcement professionals in Rahway. As officers negotiate their compensation, understanding these dynamics can significantly influence their career satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for Rahway, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Rahway in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Rahway?
Are police officers in Rahway paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Rahway?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Rahway?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Rahway. 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 Rahway 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