Police Officer Hourly Pay in Allentown, PA: $41.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Allentown, PA runs $41.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,117 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Allentown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,271 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Allentown, Pennsylvania, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 stands at $41.88, outperforming the national median of $37.76. This higher hourly rate reflects both the regional demand for qualified law enforcement personnel and the cost of living in the area. For part-time officers working three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,340 per week, which allows for versatile work settings that include patrol assignments, report preparation in police stations, and participation in court testimony or special operations like SWAT maneuvers. The hourly wage spectrum ranges significantly, from an entry-level rate of $26.32 to a peak of $52.35, ensuring that those who excel in their roles can substantially increase their earnings while contributing to public safety.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.32 | $210.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.53 | $252.21 |
| Median (P50) | $41.88 | $335.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.58 | $380.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.35 | $418.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allentown
Based on $41.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.88/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allentown, PA can expect to earn approximately $87,118 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,260. With a cost-of-living index of 99.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allentown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allentown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,675.34 | $7,260 | $87,118 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,005.21 | $4,356 | $52,271 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $670.14 | $2,904 | $34,847 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Allentown) | $41.88 |
| 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 Allentown, PA earn a median of $87,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.92% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,653.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.88/hr = $52,271/year (purchasing power: $52,287).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,118/year (purchasing power: $87,146).
CoL index: 99.968 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Allentown grew 22.6% from $33.16/hr (2019) to $40.64/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.17/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 Allentown 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 Allentown
Considering the nuances of balancing work in law enforcement, part-time officers taking on 24 hours a week could make a total of about $69,000 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. In a typical police department, regular duties may include mandatory overtime for court appearances and special assignments, which can elevate earnings by 20-50%. Moreover, off-duty jobs often offer varying pay, with rates between $35 to $75 per hour depending on the type of work, like security or traffic control. Different employer types in the Allentown area, including municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies, can also impact hourly pay significantly. Some officers may prefer jobs with less hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive benefits like health insurance. For those looking to maximize their hourly compensation, negotiating for higher rates while balancing job security and benefits is a critical consideration in their career trajectory within the law enforcement field in PA.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
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 Allentown. 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