Police Officer Hourly Pay in Ithaca, NY: $41.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Ithaca, NY runs $41.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Ithaca's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,142 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ithaca, NY, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $41.78, reflecting the city's strong commitment to law enforcement compensation compared to the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive wage provides financial stability, especially for part-time officers seeking to balance work with other commitments. For those working on a three-day-per-week basis, the schedule allows for a potential income of approximately $49,683 annually, while also offering opportunities for per-diem positions. Officers typically find themselves in various settings—from patrol vehicles on designated beats to courthouse appearances or special unit operations like K-9 detail and SWAT missions. Hourly earnings in Ithaca can vary significantly, with entry-level positions around $29.00 and seasoned experts earning up to $51.46, demonstrating a clear gradient of experience-based compensation within this profession based on data projected for 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.00 | $232.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.28 | $242.23 |
| Median (P50) | $41.78 | $334.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.56 | $348.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.46 | $411.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ithaca
Based on $41.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.78/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ithaca, NY can expect to earn approximately $86,903 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,137. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ithaca.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ithaca
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,671.22 | $7,242 | $86,903 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.73 | $4,345 | $52,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.49 | $2,897 | $34,761 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Ithaca) | $41.78 |
| 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 Ithaca, NY earn a median of $86,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.64% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.00% above the New York state average of $81,981.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.78/hr = $52,142/year (purchasing power: $50,468).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,903/year (purchasing power: $84,113).
CoL index: 103.317 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Ithaca grew 20.4% from $33.66/hr (2019) to $40.54/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.06/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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
Considering the part-time commitments of police officers, working just three days a week can yield an annual income considerably lower than full-time salaries. However, when you factor in the possible overtime, which often includes 1.5x pay for court appearances, special details, and shift extensions, officers can significantly boost their hourly earnings by 20-50%. Many departments in Ithaca also offer off-duty work, such as private security or event staffing, where rates can range from $35 to $75 per hour. The type of employer can also influence pay; municipal departments, county sheriffs, and state troopers have varied structures and scales, often reflective of budget constraints and local economy conditions. While some officers may choose positions offering lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance and job security, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits for greater immediate compensation. When negotiating pay, officers should consider the comprehensive trade-offs—benefits versus hourly rates—specific to the Ithaca area and leverage their qualifications, especially if they have specialized training or experience.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Ithaca in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Ithaca?
Are police officers in Ithaca paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Ithaca?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Ithaca?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 Ithaca. 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