Police Officer Hourly Pay in Union, NJ: $43.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Union, NJ runs $43.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,342 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Union's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,805 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union, New Jersey, police officer hourly pay stands at a median of $43.91, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This wage reflects the demands and responsibilities that officers manage, whether they work in patrol vehicles on assigned beats, write reports at the police station, or provide testimonies in court. For part-time officers working three days a week, or per-diem police officers filling in when needed, the hourly rate can yield robust take-home earnings. Within Union, the hourly range starts at $26.98 for entry-level positions, climbing to $64.85 for experienced officers and specialized roles. These figures are drawn from annual salary estimates, indicative of the economic conditions and cost of living in the area, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the pay structure for law enforcement professionals in the region.
About the Union 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) | $26.98 | $215.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.68 | $269.44 |
| Median (P50) | $43.91 | $351.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.54 | $444.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.85 | $518.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union
Based on $43.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.91/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union, NJ can expect to earn approximately $91,341 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,697. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,756.55 | $7,612 | $91,341 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,053.93 | $4,567 | $54,805 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $702.62 | $3,045 | $36,536 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Union) | $43.91 |
| 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, NJ earn a median of $91,342 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.00% above the New Jersey state average of $90,438.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.91/hr = $54,805/year (purchasing power: $47,573).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,341/year (purchasing power: $79,289).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Union (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Union grew 20.7% from $35.31/hr (2019) to $42.61/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.26/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 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
For officers considering part-time roles, working 24 hours a week can significantly impact their annual earnings compared to full-time positions. The nature of police work, characterized by required overtime, means many officers increase their total income by working extra hours, especially in court appearances and special assignments, which often pay at 1.5 times the base hourly rate. Such overtime can ultimately boost earnings by an additional 20-50%. In Union, the type of employer influences hourly compensation quite a bit; municipal police departments may offer different pay scales than county sheriff's offices or federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI or DEA. With benefits often factored into the choices officers make, some may accept lower hourly rates from municipal positions due to the lure of comprehensive health benefits, while others might prefer higher rates without benefits in private security roles. Negotiating effectively in Union’s job market, especially for hourly rates, can hinge on highlighting experience and the willingness to take on overtime or specialized assignments.
More salary data for Union, 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. 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 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