Police Officer Hourly Pay in Salem, OR: $41.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Salem, OR runs $41.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,142 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salem, Oregon, police officers are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $41.78 in 2026, significantly above the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive pay reflects the responsibilities faced by officers, whether they are working in patrol vehicles, handling bookings and report writing at the police station, or giving court testimony. For part-time officers working three days a week, this rate offers a substantial income, especially when factoring in various work settings such as undercover operations or special units like SWAT and K-9. The hourly pay range for police officers in Salem varies from $31.02 at entry-level (P10) to as high as $54.18 (P90) for those with extensive experience and specialized roles, showcasing the potential for growth and advancement.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.02 | $248.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.21 | $313.71 |
| Median (P50) | $41.78 | $334.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.19 | $377.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.18 | $433.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $41.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.78/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, OR can expect to earn approximately $86,903 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,137. With a cost-of-living index of 103.65 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,671.22 | $7,242 | $86,903 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.73 | $4,345 | $52,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.49 | $2,897 | $34,761 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Salem) | $41.78 |
| 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 Salem, OR earn a median of $86,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.64% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.30% below the Oregon state average of $92,743.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.78/hr = $52,142/year (purchasing power: $50,306).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,903/year (purchasing power: $83,844).
CoL index: 103.649 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Salem grew 13.1% from $35.86/hr (2019) to $40.54/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.06/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 Salem 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 Salem
Looking at the earning potential from different employment scenarios provides further insight into police officer pay in Salem. A part-time officer working 24 hours a week would see their annual income substantially constrained compared to a full-time worker, offering a different economic reality for those in the force. The concept of per diem police officer pay in Salem can support extra income through off-duty assignments, often paying $35 to $75 an hour for services like event security or construction oversight. Additionally, overtime for mandatory court appearances or special details can augment earnings by 20-50% of the base hourly rate. Pay scales differ across agency types in Salem, with federal positions typically providing higher compensation than municipal departments. Some officers may elect to trade off the higher hourly pay for the benefits included in full-time municipal roles, such as health insurance and retirement options, especially considering the economics of a pension multiplier that can significantly impact long-term financial stability. Understanding these dynamics can help officers negotiate better terms, particularly those working on an hourly basis, to ensure they make the most of their professional trajectory in law enforcement.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Salem in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Salem?
Are police officers in Salem paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Salem?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Salem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 Salem. 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