Police Officer Hourly Pay in Altoona, PA: $34.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Altoona, PA runs $34.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,719 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Altoona's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.5, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,628 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $34.96, which falls below the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate impacts both part-time and per-diem police officers significantly. Those working part-time, around three days a week, can expect to achieve a solid income while balancing other obligations. The hourly range for officers in Altoona starts at $17.94 for entry-level positions, progressing to $53.04 for the most experienced officers. Such hourly figures are essential, especially in typical settings such as patrol vehicles, police stations, and courtroom appearances, where duties shift based on time and operational demands. Understanding the BLS data about police officer hourly pay in Altoona is crucial for prospective hires or those currently in the law enforcement field.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.94 | $143.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.64 | $237.12 |
| Median (P50) | $34.96 | $279.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.04 | $384.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.04 | $424.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altoona
Based on $34.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.96/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altoona, PA can expect to earn approximately $72,713 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,950. With a cost-of-living index of 89.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altoona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altoona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,398.32 | $6,059 | $72,713 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $838.99 | $3,636 | $43,628 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $559.33 | $2,424 | $29,085 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Altoona) | $34.96 |
| 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 Altoona, PA earn a median of $72,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.41% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $82,635.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.96/hr = $43,628/year (purchasing power: $48,742).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,713/year (purchasing power: $81,237).
CoL index: 89.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Altoona grew 28.4% from $26.41/hr (2019) to $33.92/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.03/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 Altoona 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 Altoona
Considering the potential earnings for part-time police officers in Altoona, a schedule of three days a week translating to roughly 24 hours results in an annual take-home that might not compare favorably to that of a full-time officer. While full-time police officers can accumulate substantial benefits and job security, part-time or per diem assignments offer flexibility that some officers value. Many in the field often take advantage of overtime pay, which can amplify base earnings by 20-50% depending on court appearances or special duties. For example, off-duty assignments can command pay rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, adding notable variance to overall compensation. In Altoona, pay can differ based on the type of employer, whether it be municipal and county agencies, state police, or federal law enforcement. Officers may also consider the trade-offs between higher hourly rates and benefits like health insurance, weighing immediate cash against long-term security and retirement benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can be advantageous in Altoona, especially given the diverse opportunities available in the law enforcement sector.
More salary data for Altoona, 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 Altoona. 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