Police Officer Hourly Pay in Tulsa, OK: $31.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Tulsa, OK runs $31.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,154 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Tulsa's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,692 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $31.80, which positions them below the national median of $37.76 for this profession. This rate provides insight into what officers can expect, particularly those working part-time at about three days a week. For instance, officers operating in various settings—such as patrol vehicles, police station report-writing rooms, or even during court testimonies—can utilize a per diem structure that enhances flexibility. Entry-level police officers in Tulsa start earning around $20.91 hourly, while seasoned officers can reach up to $44.78 per hour, reflecting the value of experience and specialized duties. These figures are derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlight the hourly earning potential across different roles within law enforcement.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.91 | $167.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.61 | $188.89 |
| Median (P50) | $31.80 | $254.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.31 | $354.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.78 | $358.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulsa
Based on $31.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.80/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulsa, OK can expect to earn approximately $66,153 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,165. With a cost-of-living index of 89.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tulsa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulsa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,272.17 | $5,513 | $66,153 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $763.30 | $3,308 | $39,692 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.87 | $2,205 | $26,461 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Tulsa) | $31.80 |
| 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 Tulsa, OK earn a median of $66,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.77% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.30% below the Oklahoma state average of $69,857.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.80/hr = $39,692/year (purchasing power: $44,491).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,153/year (purchasing power: $74,151).
CoL index: 89.214 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Tulsa grew 24.1% from $24.87/hr (2019) to $30.86/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.78/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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Notably, part-time officers working a 24-hour week in police work could calculate their annual income significantly differently when contrasted with their full-time counterparts. Some may find greater earning opportunities with per-diem assignments, which can vary widely depending on the type of duty. Often, police work mandates overtime pay, enhancing the base hourly pay—sometimes by 20-50%—for court appearances or extended shifts. Moreover, off-duty assignments often pay substantially, reaching $35-$75 per hour for security details. In Tulsa, rates can fluctuate among municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, state police, and even federal law enforcement agencies, creating a diverse employment landscape. Policemen often have to consider factors like benefits versus pay—those opting for positions with lower hourly compensation may find better health insurance and retirement plans, shaping their overall work-life balance. For those in the field, negotiating hourly pay can hinge on specialization and understanding the wide-ranging implications of locality, experience, and duty type.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
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 Tulsa. 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