Police Officer Hourly Pay in Union City, NJ: $42.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Union City, NJ runs $42.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,236 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Union City's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,544 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, NJ, the police officer hourly pay stands at a median of $42.90, which is notably above the national hourly median of $37.76. This compensation reflects the city's effort to attract skilled law enforcement professionals while also compensating for its relatively higher cost of living index of 115.2. For part-time officers who work three days a week or less, the earning potential is substantial; they can expect to utilize this hourly rate across various scenarios, from patrolling assigned beats to engaging in report writing at police stations. The hourly compensation for police officers in Union City ranges from $28.35 for entry-level roles to $65.63 for top earners, providing a diverse spectrum that caters to different career stages and specializations within law enforcement.
About the Union City 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) | $28.35 | $226.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.27 | $274.14 |
| Median (P50) | $42.90 | $343.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.91 | $439.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.63 | $525.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union City
Based on $42.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.90/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $89,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,485. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,716.16 | $7,437 | $89,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,029.69 | $4,462 | $53,544 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $686.46 | $2,975 | $35,696 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Union City) | $42.90 |
| 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 Union City, NJ earn a median of $89,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.62% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $90,503.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.90/hr = $53,544/year (purchasing power: $46,479).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,240/year (purchasing power: $77,465).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Union City grew 20.7% from $34.50/hr (2019) to $41.63/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.22/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 Union City 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 Union City
Part-time officers working 24 hours a week might take home a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. While full-time positions typically entail mandatory overtime that can boost earnings, part-timers may not enjoy the same financial benefits. Hourly rates for per-diem roles vary widely, with many officers working additional assignments such as off-duty event security often earning between $35-$75 an hour. Various employer types also influence pay scales—municipal departments and federal agencies like the FBI differ considerably in remuneration. Furthermore, some officers might opt for jobs with lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, a common practice in law enforcement. For those seeking to negotiate their pay, understanding the intricacies of both hourly compensation and ancillary benefits can lead to more favorable employment terms in Union City’s diverse policing landscape.
More salary data for Union City, 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 Union City. 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 Union City 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