Police Officer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $46.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Rochester, NY runs $46.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,454 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Rochester, New York, the projected police officer hourly rate for 2026 is $46.04, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This rate illustrates the financial landscape for both full-time officers and part-time workers who often find themselves in various settings such as patrol vehicles, booking rooms, and or engaging in court testimony. For those working part-time, particularly on a 3-day/week schedule, the hourly wage allows for a substantial income, while per-diem police officer pay in Rochester can vary based on assignment and duties. With an hourly range from $28.31 at entry-level positions to as high as $50.26 for top earners, this compensation structure reflects the diverse responsibilities and skills required in law enforcement.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.31 | $226.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.64 | $261.11 |
| Median (P50) | $46.04 | $368.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.67 | $381.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.26 | $402.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $46.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.04/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $95,757 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,244. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,841.48 | $7,980 | $95,757 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,104.89 | $4,788 | $57,454 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $736.59 | $3,192 | $38,303 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Rochester) | $46.04 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $95,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.93% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 16.80% above the New York state average of $81,989.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.04/hr = $57,454/year (purchasing power: $59,210).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,757/year (purchasing power: $98,683).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Rochester grew 30.2% from $34.31/hr (2019) to $44.67/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.45/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
When analyzing the pay potential for part-time officers, working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week transforms into significant annual earnings compared to a full-time role. Per-diem options in Rochester can generate income that aligns closely with full-time salaries, especially when factoring in overtime opportunities that many officers receive for court appearances and special duties, which may add an additional 20-50% to their base earnings. Moreover, hourly rates can vary depending on the type of law enforcement agency, with municipal police departments generally offering different pay scales compared to county and federal agencies. While some officers may opt for lower hourly rates that come with health benefits, others might seek higher rates without such coverage for flexibility. In negotiations, officers in Rochester should emphasize their experience and training, particularly if they hold certifications from recognized programs, which may enhance their professional leverage in pay discussions.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Rochester in 2026?
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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 Rochester. 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