Police Officer Hourly Pay in Middletown, OH: $35.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Middletown, OH runs $35.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,649 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,193 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middletown, Ohio, police officers can expect a median hourly rate of $35.41, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly pay of $37.76. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time officers working approximately three days a week, or those in per-diem roles, as it provides a solid foundation for understanding their potential earnings. Officers typically work in varied environments such as patrol vehicles on assigned beats, police stations for booking and report writing, or courtrooms testifying in criminal cases. Those at the bottom end of the pay scale can earn about $22.70 per hour, while top earners can make up to $52.12 per hour, reflecting the broad range of positions and responsibilities within the police force.
About the Middletown 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) | $22.70 | $181.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.66 | $221.29 |
| Median (P50) | $35.41 | $283.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.95 | $359.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.12 | $416.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $35.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.41/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, OH can expect to earn approximately $73,656 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,494. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,416.46 | $6,138 | $73,656 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $849.87 | $3,683 | $44,193 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $566.58 | $2,455 | $29,462 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Middletown) | $35.41 |
| 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 Middletown, OH earn a median of $73,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the Ohio state average of $74,318.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.41/hr = $44,193/year (purchasing power: $48,725).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,656/year (purchasing power: $81,208).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Middletown grew 20.7% from $28.47/hr (2019) to $34.36/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.50/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 Middletown 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 Middletown
Considering the financial landscape for part-time police officers, working just three days a week can yield annual take-home earnings that significantly differ from full-time counterparts. While full-time officers may benefit from substantial overtime opportunities—such as court appearances and special assignments, which often pay 1.5 times the hourly rate—part-time positions focus primarily on base pay. The per diem police officer pay in Middletown can also vary greatly depending on whether the officer is employed by a municipal agency or a federal law enforcement organization. Officers working extra-duty assignments might earn cash ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the nature of the job. Many officers weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates accompanied by benefits like health insurance and higher pay without such perks. Practical negotiation tips for those in hourly police work might focus on discussing specialization skills or previous experiences that can justify a higher rate. In this evolving profession, understanding these dynamics allows officers to make informed decisions about their career paths.
More salary data for Middletown, 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 Middletown. 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 Middletown 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