Police Officer Hourly Pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $39.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Wilkes-Barre, PA runs $39.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,343 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Wilkes-Barre's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,811 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $39.11 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $37.76. This competitive hourly rate facilitates opportunities for both part-time officers and per diem workers, often engaging in a variety of tasks from patrolling assigned beats to reporting and investigative duties in specialized settings such as detective work or SWAT operations. With a salary range from $24.44 for entry-level positions to $57.00 for top earners, the financial landscape offers room for career progression. The estimated figures for hourly pay are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the overall commitment to financial stability within the police force in Wilkes-Barre.
About the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $24.44 | $195.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.21 | $241.66 |
| Median (P50) | $39.11 | $312.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.31 | $394.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.00 | $456.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilkes-Barre
Based on $39.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.11/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilkes-Barre, PA can expect to earn approximately $81,351 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,934. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilkes-Barre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilkes-Barre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,564.45 | $6,779 | $81,351 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $938.67 | $4,068 | $48,811 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $625.78 | $2,712 | $32,541 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Wilkes-Barre) | $39.11 |
| 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $81,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.57% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $82,666.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.11/hr = $48,811/year (purchasing power: $50,114).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,351/year (purchasing power: $83,523).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Wilkes-Barre grew 20.7% from $31.45/hr (2019) to $37.95/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.31/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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
Considering part-time earning potential, a police officer working three days a week, clocking in about 24 hours, can still achieve respectable take-home earnings. While the benefits of full-time positions are attractive, part-time officers might find themselves navigating a different reality, especially with opportunities for additional pay through court appearances or special details that often come with overtime compensation at 1.5 times the regular rate. Per diem police officer pay in Wilkes-Barre may vary significantly based on employer type, whether it be municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, or federal law enforcement. Many officers weigh the pros and cons of hourly pay against health insurance benefits. Practical negotiation tips for officers considering hourly positions include understanding the pay structure related to overtime and potential off-duty assignments, which may range from $35 to $75 per hour, thus better positioning themselves during discussions about pay.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre 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