Police Officer Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $44.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Philadelphia, PA runs $44.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,321 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,396 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the police officer hourly pay is projected to reach $44.39 in 2026, a figure that significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $37.76. This competitive pay may greatly impact those working part-time or per diem, as officers typically operate in various environments such as patrol vehicles, booking rooms, and special operations units. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate can translate to a meaningful supplement alongside their other commitments. For new recruits, the hourly pay starts at $27.27, while experienced officers can ascend to the upper echelon, earning $60.05 per hour, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.27 | $218.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.46 | $291.70 |
| Median (P50) | $44.39 | $355.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.46 | $395.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.05 | $480.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $44.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.39/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $92,327 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,266. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,775.52 | $7,694 | $92,327 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,065.31 | $4,616 | $55,396 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $710.21 | $3,078 | $36,931 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Philadelphia) | $44.39 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $92,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.54% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 11.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $82,651.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.39/hr = $55,396/year (purchasing power: $54,017).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,327/year (purchasing power: $90,028).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Philadelphia grew 21.5% from $35.44/hr (2019) to $43.07/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.75/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
In terms of practical earning potential, a part-time police officer working 24 hours per week can expect to take home around $55,223 annually, compared to full-time counterparts who have the opportunity to earn over $92,321. The per diem police officer pay in Philadelphia varies based on assignments, with many officers taking on cash-based duties such as event security, earning between $35 to $75 per hour. Furthermore, overtime pay, often at 1.5 times base hourly rates, can significantly enhance overall earnings, particularly for court appearances or extended shifts. Differences in hourly compensation across employer types in Philadelphia highlight the financial trade-offs faced by officers; municipal roles tend to offer stability and benefits, while private security roles might promise higher pay without benefits. Labor representation through organizations like the NLEA or FOP often influences negotiations in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia. 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