Police Officer Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $40.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Erie, PA runs $40.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,334 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,007 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 stands at $40.07, surpassing the national median of $37.76. This competitive pay allows for a comfortable living, especially for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. For instance, an officer working three days a week would earn approximately $31,440 annually before taxes, showcasing an opportunity to balance professional demands with personal commitments. This hourly rate is reflected in varying roles, whether in patrol vehicles on designated beats, processing reports in a police station, or participating in court testimonies. The hourly earnings range from $23.47 at entry-level positions to $53.34 for the top earners, indicating a spectrum of opportunities within the law enforcement field in Erie.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.47 | $187.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.98 | $239.84 |
| Median (P50) | $40.07 | $320.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.59 | $380.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.34 | $426.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie
Based on $40.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.07/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $83,345 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,084. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,602.79 | $6,945 | $83,345 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $961.67 | $4,167 | $50,007 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $641.12 | $2,778 | $33,338 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Erie) | $40.07 |
| 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 Erie, PA earn a median of $83,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,673.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.07/hr = $50,007/year (purchasing power: $54,983).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,345/year (purchasing power: $91,638).
CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Erie grew 3.2% from $37.69/hr (2019) to $38.88/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.30/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 Erie 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 Erie
For those considering part-time positions, the earnings potential can be significant but varies widely based on job requirements, with additional opportunities for per-diem assignments. Full-time officers often experience mandatory overtime—which can increase earnings by 20-50%—for court appearances and special assignments. Police officers may also find lucrative off-duty opportunities such as event security, which typically pays $35-$75 per hour, either in cash or through department detail programs. Hourly rates differ by employer type across Erie, with municipal departments and county sheriff's offices generally offering different compensation packages compared to federal agencies such as the FBI or ATF. Those accepting lower hourly rates often do so to access health benefits, whereas higher hourly rates might come without such advantages. It's wise to negotiate for total compensation, considering overtime opportunities, health benefits, and the specific department's pay scale, which can further influence decision-making on hourly pay in Erie.
More salary data for Erie, 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 Erie. 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