Police Officer Hourly Pay in Arecibo, PR: $16.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Arecibo, PR runs $16.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,082 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,450 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Arecibo, Puerto Rico, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $16.39, which significantly trails the national median of $37.76. This disparity means that part-time officers working three days a week typically receive less income than their full-time counterparts, often limiting their financial stability. This hourly rate applies across diverse settings, from patrol vehicles and police stations to courtrooms and special operations units like SWAT. While entry-level officers may start at approximately $11.98, more experienced personnel can earn substantial amounts, with top earners reaching up to $48.66 per hour. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reflecting the economic landscape of law enforcement in Arecibo for 2026, and highlights the financial challenges faced by local police officers.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.98 | $95.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.77 | $110.15 |
| Median (P50) | $16.39 | $131.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.39 | $299.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.66 | $389.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arecibo
Based on $16.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.39/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arecibo, PR can expect to earn approximately $34,084 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,664.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arecibo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $655.46 | $2,840 | $34,084 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $393.28 | $1,704 | $20,450 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $262.18 | $1,136 | $13,634 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Arecibo) | $16.39 |
| 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 Arecibo, PR earn a median of $34,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.61% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.50% above the Puerto Rico state average of $32,929.
2019 BLS Actual
$9.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+84.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Arecibo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $9.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $9.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $9.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Arecibo grew 73.6% from $9.16/hr (2019) to $15.90/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.89/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 Arecibo 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 Arecibo
Part-time police officers in Arecibo, working a typical 24-hour week, could take home around $25,171 annually, which starkly contrasts against the earning potential of full-time officers. The nature of police work often includes mandatory overtime, allowing officers to potentially earn 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for court appearances and specialized assignments, further boosting their total compensation. Additionally, off-duty opportunities such as security tasks can yield cash payments ranging anywhere from $35 to $75 per hour. Hourly rates vary significantly across different law enforcement agencies in the area, influenced by the type of employer from municipal departments to federal agencies and private security firms. Some officers might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health insurance coverage, while others prefer higher pay without benefits. For those working in Arecibo, understanding the nuances of pay negotiation and available benefits is key to successfully managing their careers in law enforcement.
More salary data for Arecibo, PR:
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 Arecibo. 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