Police Officer Hourly Pay in Scranton, PA: $35.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Scranton, PA runs $35.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,420 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Scranton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,656 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $35.78, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This difference implies that local officers may face challenges in maximizing their earnings compared to their counterparts in other regions. With the hourly range extending from $24.44 for entry-level positions to $52.35 for experienced officers, those working part-time—around three days a week—can expect to make viable wages while engaging in duties such as patrolling neighborhoods, writing reports at the police station, or providing testimony in court. Despite these rates, the financial viability for part-time roles can be a balancing act, depending on assigned shifts and the frequency of overtime opportunities.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.44 | $195.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.27 | $234.15 |
| Median (P50) | $35.78 | $286.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.13 | $377.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.35 | $418.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scranton
Based on $35.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.78/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scranton, PA can expect to earn approximately $74,427 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,939. With a cost-of-living index of 93.56 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scranton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scranton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,431.30 | $6,202 | $74,427 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $858.78 | $3,721 | $44,656 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $572.52 | $2,481 | $29,771 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Scranton) | $35.78 |
| 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 Scranton, PA earn a median of $74,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 10.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $82,688.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.78/hr = $44,656/year (purchasing power: $47,732).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,427/year (purchasing power: $79,554).
CoL index: 93.556 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Scranton grew 39.5% from $24.89/hr (2019) to $34.72/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.88/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 Scranton 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 Scranton
Evaluating the potential income for part-time police work in Scranton reveals that officers who work a typical schedule of three days a week for 24 hours might earn a considerable annual income compared to those who serve full-time. Additionally, the landscape of per diem police officer pay in Scranton, often led by opportunities for agency or locum positions, may further enhance overall earnings. Officers frequently apply their skills during off-duty or extra-duty assignments—such as traffic control for construction projects—which can command rates between $35 and $75 per hour. Hourly wages can also differ significantly between municipal departments and federal agencies, reflecting the complexities of working in law enforcement. Benefits, including health insurance, often play a crucial role in the decision to pursue specific positions, as some officers accept lower hourly rates for comprehensive health plans. Negotiating for higher pay rates or alternate benefits can be an effective strategy for officers dealing with Scranton’s varied hourly pay landscape.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 Scranton. 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