Police Officer Hourly Pay in Harrisburg, PA: $41.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Harrisburg, PA runs $41.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,055 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Harrisburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.7, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,232 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officer hourly pay in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is projected at $41.85, exceeding the national median hourly rate of $37.76 by 10.84%. This hourly rate facilitates various work arrangements for police officers, including part-time opportunities and per-diem assignments that are prevalent in roles such as patrol, booking, court appearances, and special operations. For those working three days a week, typically averaging 24 hours, this translates to a substantial earnings potential that reflects their on-the-ground responsibilities, whether it be in uniform or in plainclothes settings. The hourly earnings range from $22.54 for entry-level positions to $54.63 for those at the higher echelons of the profession, illustrating a clear progression in pay as experience and roles evolve. This data, drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), highlights the economic landscape for law enforcement careers in the region.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.54 | $180.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.99 | $247.92 |
| Median (P50) | $41.85 | $334.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.25 | $410.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.63 | $437.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harrisburg
Based on $41.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.85/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harrisburg, PA can expect to earn approximately $87,054 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,223. With a cost-of-living index of 98.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harrisburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harrisburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,674.11 | $7,254 | $87,054 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,004.46 | $4,353 | $52,232 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $669.64 | $2,902 | $34,821 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Harrisburg) | $41.85 |
| 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 Harrisburg, PA earn a median of $87,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.84% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.30% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,673.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.85/hr = $52,232/year (purchasing power: $52,947).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,054/year (purchasing power: $88,245).
CoL index: 98.65 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Harrisburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Harrisburg grew 13.7% from $35.71/hr (2019) to $40.61/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.13/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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg
Considering part-time work in law enforcement, a police officer working a 3-day, 24-hour week would see an annual take-home significantly less than a full-time counterpart, though still competitive. Officers often have the potential to combine their base pay with overtime, which can increase earnings by 20-50% for court shifts, special details, or extended shifts due to mandatory overtime. Many departments also offer lucrative off-duty opportunities, such as event security or extra-duty assignments, where hourly wages can reach between $35 and $75. Police pay varies widely depending on the employer, with municipal police departments typically offering different rates compared to county sheriff's offices or state police. While some police officers may prefer higher hourly rates with fewer benefits, others might choose lower immediate compensation for the security of health insurance and retirement plans. When negotiating pay, applying local insights and understanding the financial implications within the department structure can significantly impact overall satisfaction and financial well-being in pursuing a career in law enforcement in Harrisburg.
More salary data for Harrisburg, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Harrisburg in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Harrisburg?
Are police officers in Harrisburg paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Harrisburg?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Harrisburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Harrisburg. 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