Police Officer Hourly Pay in Bethlehem, PA: $42.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Bethlehem, PA runs $42.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,239 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Bethlehem's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,544 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, police officers can expect a median hourly rate of $42.90, significantly higher than the national median of $37.76. This competitive wage not only reflects the demands of law enforcement in this urban context but also offers part-time and per-diem workers in the field a solid income. Officers working on a typical 3-day workweek can find themselves in various settings, whether it's patrol vehicles on assigned beats, courtrooms during testimonies, or engaging in special operations. For those just starting their careers, entry-level hourly pay is approximately $26.68, while highly experienced officers can earn up to $63.75 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates based on BLS data, underscoring the importance of understanding proper compensation structures in the law enforcement sector.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.68 | $213.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.14 | $265.15 |
| Median (P50) | $42.90 | $343.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.50 | $435.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.75 | $510.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethlehem
Based on $42.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.90/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethlehem, PA can expect to earn approximately $89,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,485. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethlehem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethlehem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,716.16 | $7,437 | $89,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,029.69 | $4,462 | $53,544 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $686.46 | $2,975 | $35,696 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Bethlehem) | $42.90 |
| 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 Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $89,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.62% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 8.00% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,628.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.90/hr = $53,544/year (purchasing power: $54,973).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,240/year (purchasing power: $91,622).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Bethlehem grew 20.7% from $34.50/hr (2019) to $41.63/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.22/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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
Examining part-time income potential further illuminates the financial dynamics for police officers in Bethlehem. A part-time officer working 24 hours weekly may realize a significantly lower annual take-home compared to full-time counterparts, who benefit from full salary and potential overtime. Overtime opportunities further contribute to earnings—often calculated at 1.5 times the hourly wage—especially for court appearances and additional special details. Off-duty assignments can also supplement income, with rates typically ranging from $35 to $75 per hour depending on the nature of the work. The variety of employer types in Bethlehem, including municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and state police, can yield different pay structures and benefits—some officers may opt for positions with lower hourly pay but substantial health insurance benefits. As negotiations unfold around hourly rates, officers should consider the balance between pay and benefits particularly relevant in a city like Bethlehem, where union representation plays a critical role in advocating for fair wages and working conditions.
More salary data for Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem. 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 Bethlehem 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