Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lakewood, OH: $35.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lakewood, OH runs $35.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,361 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For police officers in Lakewood, Ohio, the hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $35.55 in 2026, which is somewhat lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This hourly wage plays a significant role for those working part-time or per diem positions within various settings, including patrol vehicles, police stations, and courtroom testimonies. With an hourly range from $21.15 at the entry-level to $54.99 for the highest earners, officers can expect variability in compensation based on their experience and responsibilities. The nature of this profession requires adaptability, and officers often find themselves in various roles, from handling day-to-day patrol duties to participating in specialized operations alongside federal investigators.
About the Lakewood 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) | $21.15 | $169.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.63 | $213.05 |
| Median (P50) | $35.55 | $284.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.11 | $360.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.99 | $439.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $35.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.55/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, OH can expect to earn approximately $73,934 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,654. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,421.82 | $6,161 | $73,934 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $853.09 | $3,697 | $44,361 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $568.73 | $2,464 | $29,574 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lakewood) | $35.55 |
| 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 Lakewood, OH earn a median of $73,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.87% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $74,303.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.55/hr = $44,361/year (purchasing power: $48,909).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,934/year (purchasing power: $81,515).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lakewood grew 20.7% from $28.58/hr (2019) to $34.49/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.63/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Examining part-time earning potential reveals a stark contrast between a typical 3-days-a-week schedule and full-time commitments. For instance, working 24 hours a week with the median pay translates to a much lower annual income compared to full-time officers. Moreover, per diem police officer pay in Lakewood can substantially increase if one factors in overtime, which often features a premium of 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances or special assignments. Officers can also supplement their income through off-duty work, where pay rates range from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the assignment type. Differences in hourly rates across various employer types—like municipal police departments versus state or federal roles—can also lead to disparities in total compensation. All these factors complicate the decision-making process for officers, especially when considering benefits balances that come with salaried positions versus higher pay without insurance coverage. For those negotiating their pay in Lakewood, understanding the intricacies of both hourly rates and overtime can provide a significant advantage.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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