Police Officer Hourly Pay in Westerville, OH: $35.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Westerville, OH runs $35.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Westerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,988 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Westerville, Ohio, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 stands at $35.25, which falls below the national median of $37.76 per hour. This hourly rate can provide significant income for those working part-time—such as three days a week—averaging around 24 hours of work. Part-time officers often find themselves engaged in varied environments, from patrolling in vehicles to conducting interviews in detective settings or participating in units like SWAT. For police officers in entry-level positions, the hourly range starts at approximately $22.33, while more experienced personnel can earn upwards of $50.32. These figures highlight the diversity of pay based on experience and responsibilities, making this career path adaptable for various lifestyles and commitments.
About the Westerville 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) | $22.33 | $178.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.34 | $218.73 |
| Median (P50) | $35.25 | $281.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.81 | $350.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.32 | $402.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westerville
Based on $35.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.25/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westerville, OH can expect to earn approximately $73,313 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,296. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Westerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,409.86 | $6,109 | $73,313 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $845.92 | $3,666 | $43,988 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $563.94 | $2,444 | $29,325 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Westerville) | $35.25 |
| 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 Westerville, OH earn a median of $73,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $74,286.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.25/hr = $43,988/year (purchasing power: $48,498).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,313/year (purchasing power: $80,830).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Westerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Westerville grew 20.7% from $28.34/hr (2019) to $34.20/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.33/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 Westerville 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 Westerville
Considering part-time opportunities, a police officer working three days a week potentially earns around $41,160 annually, significantly less than full-time peers. However, the trade-offs include flexible schedules and reduced responsibilities. For officers who opt for per diem assignments, there can be additional financial benefits; overtime and extra-duty jobs can yield substantial earnings, with rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour in off-duty details. Pay scales can vary dramatically among different types of law enforcement in Westerville, including municipal departments, state police, and federal agencies, with federal positions typically offering higher compensation due to additional responsibilities and rigorous selection processes. Officers must balance prospects for higher hourly pay against the benefits provided by various agencies, such as health insurance and pensions. When negotiating pay, it is insightful for officers to understand the local market and consider leveraging their unique skill sets and experiences to secure the best hourly rate possible.
More salary data for Westerville, 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 Westerville. 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 Westerville 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