Police Officer Hourly Pay in Cincinnati, OH: $39.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Cincinnati, OH runs $39.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,871 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Cincinnati's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.4, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,724 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cincinnati, the projected police officer hourly pay in 2026 is $39.84, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This attractive rate can be beneficial for part-time officers who work three days a week, allowing them to earn a solid income within a more flexible schedule. The hourly range for police officers in the city spans from $28.28 for entry-level positions to $48.87 for top earners, providing a spectrum of opportunities for those seeking either full-time or per diem police officer pay in Cincinnati. The statistics presented herein are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, underpinning how competitive this hourly wage can be considering the varied roles officers undertake, from patrol to courtroom duties and specialized operations.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.28 | $226.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.15 | $257.24 |
| Median (P50) | $39.84 | $318.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.22 | $377.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.87 | $390.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cincinnati
Based on $39.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.84/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cincinnati, OH can expect to earn approximately $82,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,812. With a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cincinnati.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cincinnati
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,593.72 | $6,906 | $82,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $956.23 | $4,144 | $49,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $637.49 | $2,762 | $33,149 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Cincinnati) | $39.84 |
| 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 Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $82,871 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.51% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 11.50% above the Ohio state average of $74,323.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.84/hr = $49,724/year (purchasing power: $52,138).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,873/year (purchasing power: $86,897).
CoL index: 95.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Cincinnati grew 16.3% from $33.23/hr (2019) to $38.66/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.06/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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
Examining part-time officers who work a 24-hour week, their annual take-home would be significantly less compared to full-time positions, yet it still provides an attractive option for those who require flexibility. For police officers accepting per-diem or agency work, the reality is that they may encounter various pay scales; for instance, while base salaries might be fixed, mandatory overtime for court appearances can elevate earnings by 20-50%. Fees for off-duty assignments can also range between $35 and $75 hourly. In Cincinnati, hourly rates differ based on the type of law enforcement agency, from municipal departments to federal roles, each having distinctive benefits and hourly compensation. Some officers accept lower pay rates in exchange for health insurance, while others prioritize a higher rate without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly pay, understanding the specificities of local department pay structures and the trade-offs involved can lead to better outcomes in today's competitive labor market.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
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 Cincinnati. 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