Police Officer Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $37.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Fargo, ND runs $37.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,511 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,100 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for police officers in Fargo, North Dakota, is projected to be $37.74, which is just slightly below the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate is critical for both full-time officers on regular shifts and part-time workers who might only serve three days a week. For those engaging in per diem police work in settings such as patrol vehicles, police stations, or special operations units, the flexibility of hourly compensation can offer significant financial utility. The hourly pay ranges from $30.08 for entry-level positions to as much as $47.55 for the top earners, reflecting the experience and responsibilities handled within various roles. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections based on 2025 data, highlights the financial landscape that officers navigate in their day-to-day responsibilities.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.08 | $240.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.53 | $260.21 |
| Median (P50) | $37.74 | $301.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.10 | $328.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.55 | $380.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $37.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.74/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $78,500 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,289. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,509.62 | $6,542 | $78,500 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $905.77 | $3,925 | $47,100 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $603.85 | $2,617 | $31,400 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Fargo) | $37.74 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $78,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.04% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 8.70% above the North Dakota state average of $72,227.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.74/hr = $47,100/year (purchasing power: $51,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,500/year (purchasing power: $86,387).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Fargo grew 20.9% from $30.28/hr (2019) to $36.62/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.90/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
Considering a typical workweek of 24 hours for part-time police officers, the annual earnings can differ significantly when contrasted with full-time roles. Earning a consistent hourly rate means that officers engaging in per diem work must weigh their financial options carefully; while a stable full-time position comes with mandatory overtime that often elevates total earnings by 20-50%, the unique flexibility of part-time or per diem positions can also appeal to many law enforcement professionals. Extra-duty assignments such as event security often pay in the range of $35-$75 per hour and can help fill in gaps in income. Different agency types in Fargo, including municipal police, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement, tend to offer varied hourly rates, with municipal positions typically providing vital benefits that can be attractive despite potentially lower hourly compensation. Officers negotiating their hourly pay in Fargo should highlight their skills and experience while also considering the overall package, including benefits like health insurance, to best assess their employment options in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 Fargo. 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