Police Officer Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $39.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Cleveland, OH runs $39.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,737 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,634 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Cleveland’s police officers can expect a median hourly pay of $39.77, which surpasses the national median of $37.76. This competitive hourly rate is significant for part-time officers working typical schedules, such as three days a week. For those operating from patrol vehicles during assigned beats or engaging in tasks at police station booking and report-writing rooms, the earning potential remains robust. The hourly range for police officers in Cleveland spans from $25.44 at the entry-level, which is accessible for new recruits, to $46.25 for those at the top of their earning capabilities, reflecting the diversity of responsibilities, from routine patrols to specialized operations like SWAT. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026, providing an official context for understanding police officer hourly rate dynamics in OH.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.44 | $203.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.93 | $279.42 |
| Median (P50) | $39.77 | $318.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.66 | $325.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.25 | $370.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $39.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.77/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $82,723 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,725. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,590.83 | $6,894 | $82,723 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $954.50 | $4,136 | $49,634 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $636.33 | $2,757 | $33,089 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Cleveland) | $39.77 |
| 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 Cleveland, OH earn a median of $82,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.34% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 11.30% above the Ohio state average of $74,337.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.77/hr = $49,634/year (purchasing power: $52,845).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,723/year (purchasing power: $88,076).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Cleveland grew 31.6% from $29.33/hr (2019) to $38.59/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.99/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
For part-time police officers in Cleveland, working a 24-hour week can lead to annual earnings considerably lower than full-time counterparts. However, the per diem opportunities in this profession can enhance income, as police work often comes with mandatory overtime pay at 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances or special details. Such additional shifts, including off-duty jobs like event security, often range in pay from $35 to $75 per hour, creating a flexible earning scenario. Different employers, including municipal police departments, sheriff's offices, and federal agencies, affect hourly compensation, with each entity adopting distinct pay structures. While some officers may choose positions that offer lower hourly rates but better health insurance and benefits, others may pursue higher hourly pay without benefits, affecting their overall financial strategy. Negotiating pay in Cleveland, especially for police roles, can hinge on understanding these variances and leveraging any specialty skills or experience to maximize earnings.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 Cleveland. 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