Police Officer Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $37.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Dayton, OH runs $37.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,645 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,190 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dayton, Ohio, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is set at $37.81, which is slightly above the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This competitive pay can offer a solid income framework for those considering part-time positions, working three days a week. Such officers, generally engaged in tasks ranging from responding to emergencies in patrol vehicles to facilitating court testimony, can effectively balance work and personal commitments. The hourly rate for police officers in Dayton varies from approximately $29.43 for entry-level positions to $45.42 for more experienced officers or specialized roles, reflecting the city's diverse law enforcement landscape and the complexity of duties undertaken. This information comes directly from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, ensuring accuracy for individuals interested in pursuing this vital vocation.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.43 | $235.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.04 | $256.33 |
| Median (P50) | $37.81 | $302.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.04 | $320.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.42 | $363.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $37.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.81/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $78,650 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,375. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,512.51 | $6,554 | $78,650 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $907.51 | $3,933 | $47,190 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $605.00 | $2,622 | $31,460 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Dayton) | $37.81 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $78,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.13% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.80% above the Ohio state average of $74,334.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.81/hr = $47,190/year (purchasing power: $50,910).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,650/year (purchasing power: $84,850).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Dayton grew 11.8% from $32.82/hr (2019) to $36.69/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.97/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Part-time police officers in Dayton, who might work approximately 24 hours a week, can expect to earn around $46,972 annually, a figure that demonstrates the income potential even outside of full-time positions. Those working per diem assignments often find that while base pay varies widely, overtime opportunities prominently enhance overall earnings, particularly with mandatory court appearances and special details, which commonly pay at 1.5 times the regular rate. Officers in Dayton might also take advantage of supplemental cash payments for extra-duty assignments, such as event security, where hourly rates can range from $35-$75. Importantly, compensation can differ significantly based on the type of law enforcement agency, whether municipal, county, or federal, with structuring that can reward different levels of experience and specialization. In negotiating for hourly pay, it’s crucial for officers to weigh the benefits of per diem rates against the stability and insurance offerings of regular positions, as some may choose to accept lower pay in exchange for healthcare and retirement benefits. Understanding these nuances of police officer hourly pay in Dayton can help prospective and current officers make informed career choices in their law enforcement journey.
More salary data for Dayton, 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 Dayton. 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