Police Officer Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $38.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Albany, NY runs $38.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,374 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Albany, NY, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $38.76, slightly surpassing the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive rate offers meaningful opportunities for both full-time officers and those seeking part-time or per-diem positions. For example, a part-time officer working three days a week could engage in essential duties such as patrolling neighborhoods, preparing reports at the police station, or providing courtroom testimony, earning a substantial income while maintaining work-life balance. The hourly wage ranges from $24.90 for entry-level positions all the way up to $49.69 for top earners, reflecting the various responsibilities and demands associated with the job. These figures stem from official BLS OEWS data, providing a reliable snapshot of hourly earnings for police officers in the Albany area.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.90 | $199.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.83 | $246.60 |
| Median (P50) | $38.76 | $310.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.86 | $366.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.69 | $397.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $38.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.76/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $80,623 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,513. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,550.43 | $6,719 | $80,623 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $930.26 | $4,031 | $48,374 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $620.17 | $2,687 | $32,249 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Albany) | $38.76 |
| 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 Albany, NY earn a median of $80,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.66% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.60% below the New York state average of $81,945.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.76/hr = $48,374/year (purchasing power: $48,584).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,623/year (purchasing power: $80,974).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Albany grew 15.2% from $32.65/hr (2019) to $37.61/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.95/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 Albany 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 Albany
Considering the realities of police work in Albany, those opting for part-time positions can expect different financial implications compared to their full-time counterparts. A police officer working 24 hours weekly could take home approximately $48,000 annually, while a full-time officer could earn well over $80,634. Additionally, part-time officers may find flexibility in per diem roles, where pay varies significantly based on the nature of the assignment, with some off-duty details commanding hourly rates between $35-$75. Compensation can also rise with mandatory overtime; assignments like court appearances or special details often yield an overtime pay rate of 1.5 times the base salary, substantially enhancing earnings potential. As municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies follow differing pay structures, it's crucial for officers to weigh options—choosing higher hourly rates without benefits versus steadier salaries with comprehensive health coverage. For those negotiating hourly rates, emphasizing certifications and specialized skills can be advantageous, especially in a competitive job market like Albany, where demand for police officers continues to grow.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 Albany. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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