Police Officer Hourly Pay in Gahanna, OH: $35.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Gahanna, OH runs $35.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,365 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Gahanna's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,013 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gahanna, Ohio, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $35.27, which falls short of the national median of $37.76. This translates into a significant impact for both part-time officers working typically three days a week and those in per-diem roles. The range for police officer hourly pay in Gahanna extends from $22.38 at the lower 10th percentile to $50.40 at the upper 90th percentile. This variability captures the different levels of experience and specializations within the role, providing a framework for those operating out of patrol vehicles, engaging in report writing, or involved in various units, including plainclothes or specialty operations. While part-time and per-diem positions can offer flexibility, they also come with the trade-off of potentially less stable earnings compared to their full-time counterparts.
About the Gahanna Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.38 | $179.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.38 | $219.06 |
| Median (P50) | $35.27 | $282.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.62 | $357.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.40 | $403.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gahanna
Based on $35.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.27/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gahanna, OH can expect to earn approximately $73,356 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,321. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gahanna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gahanna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,410.69 | $6,113 | $73,356 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $846.41 | $3,668 | $44,013 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $564.27 | $2,445 | $29,342 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Gahanna) | $35.27 |
| 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 Gahanna, OH earn a median of $73,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.59% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $74,332.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.27/hr = $44,013/year (purchasing power: $48,526).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,356/year (purchasing power: $80,877).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Gahanna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Gahanna grew 20.7% from $28.36/hr (2019) to $34.22/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.35/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 Gahanna 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 Gahanna
Evaluating the part-time police officer's potential earnings reveals a sharp contrast between those working 24-hour weeks compared to full-time officers. While a full-time officer may enjoy annual earnings that significantly benefit from overtime practices, part-time work does not generally provide the same financial stability. Overtime can boost earnings by 20-50% due to required court appearances or shift extensions, while additional assignments like event security can pay between $35-$75 per hour in Gahanna. Hourly rates can also differ depending on the type of employer; for instance, municipal police departments may offer different pay structures compared to state police or federal law enforcement agencies. Some officers may accept a lower hourly rate from municipal roles to secure benefits like health insurance, highlighting a complex benefits trade-off in the profession. Understanding how these rates are structured and negotiating effectively with prospective employers in Gahanna can greatly influence financial outcomes for law enforcement personnel.
More salary data for Gahanna, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Gahanna. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gahanna is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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