Police Officer Hourly Pay in Carlsbad, NM: $33.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Carlsbad, NM runs $33.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,299 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Carlsbad's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,174 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carlsbad, NM, the projected median hourly pay for police officers stands at $33.79, which falls below the national median of $37.76. This difference translates into significant variations in potential earnings for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For example, a part-time officer working three days a week could expect to earn approximately 24 hours of pay at this rate, equating to about $1,620 monthly. The hourly range for police officers in Carlsbad spans from $21.85 for entry-level positions to a top-end of $48.92 for seasoned veterans engaged in specialized roles. These hourly figures, derived from the annual salary estimates, reflect diverse responsibilities such as patrolling, report writing, court testimonies, or participating in critical operations like SWAT and K-9 activities.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.85 | $174.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.64 | $213.13 |
| Median (P50) | $33.79 | $270.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.41 | $339.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.92 | $391.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carlsbad
Based on $33.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.79/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carlsbad, NM can expect to earn approximately $70,290 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,552. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carlsbad.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carlsbad
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,351.73 | $5,858 | $70,290 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $811.04 | $3,515 | $42,174 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $540.69 | $2,343 | $28,116 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Carlsbad) | $33.79 |
| 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 Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $70,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.50% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $74,155.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.79/hr = $42,174/year (purchasing power: $44,676).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,290/year (purchasing power: $74,460).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Carlsbad grew 20.7% from $27.17/hr (2019) to $32.79/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.83/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 Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad
Part-time officers in Carlsbad can take home considerably less annually than their full-time counterparts. A 3-day workweek translates to about $19,440 in annual earnings, notably less than a full-time officer's potential salary, which could be significantly enhanced through overtime. Many police departments offer mandatory overtime, especially for court appearances or special assignments, which can boost earnings substantially—often adding 20-50% to base pay. When exploring the hourly rates specific to employer types, municipal police departments typically offer competitive pay, while federal law enforcement agencies may present higher rates, notably for positions like FBI agents. Meanwhile, officers weighing benefits against hourly pay might encounter trade-offs; some opt for steady salaried positions with health coverage, while others pursue higher hourly wages without the safety net of benefits. For those navigating job offers, understanding market rates and evaluating total compensation—including potential overtime and extra-duty assignments—can provide leverage in negotiations.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
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 Carlsbad. 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 Carlsbad 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