Police Officer Hourly Pay in Johnston, RI: $36.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Johnston, RI runs $36.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,330 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Johnston's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,801 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Rhode Island, the police officer hourly pay is projected at $36.70 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $37.76. This positions officers who work part-time or on a per-diem basis at a competitive rate, crucial for those balancing multiple jobs or balancing court duties with patrol. For example, a part-time officer working three shifts a week can expect to earn around $28,000 annually before deductions, based solely on an hourly schedule. The hourly pay range for police officers in Johnston is significant, starting at $25.05 for entry-level positions and reaching upwards of $54.42 for the top earners. Such variation reflects the diverse responsibilities and challenges law enforcement officers face, from being on patrol to conducting investigations, both within departmental settings and during off-duty assignments.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.05 | $200.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.97 | $231.76 |
| Median (P50) | $36.70 | $293.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.94 | $375.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.42 | $435.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnston
Based on $36.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.70/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnston, RI can expect to earn approximately $76,335 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,040. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Johnston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,467.99 | $6,361 | $76,335 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $880.79 | $3,817 | $45,801 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $587.19 | $2,545 | $30,534 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Johnston) | $36.70 |
| 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 Johnston, RI earn a median of $76,330 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $78,935.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.70/hr = $45,801/year (purchasing power: $45,573).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,335/year (purchasing power: $75,956).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Johnston grew 20.7% from $29.51/hr (2019) to $35.61/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.82/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 Johnston 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 Johnston
Focusing on the specifics of earning potential for police officers in Johnston reveals insights into career choices and shifts in duty. For an officer working part-time, the annual take-home pay significantly differs compared to full-time roles—one can see a stark contrast, especially considering mandatory overtime often associated with court appearances and special operations that can add substantial earnings. Additionally, off-duty jobs often pay well, sometimes fetching between $35 and $75 an hour. This context illustrates how hourly pay structures vary across different employments in Johnston, whether within municipal departments, state police, or even federal agencies like the FBI. While some officers may claim higher hourly rates in smaller departments, they often sacrifice benefits, particularly health insurance, available in larger agencies. For those just entering the workforce or currently seeking hourly roles, it’s vital to consider not just the rate but also the accompanying benefits and stability that various positions offer, negotiating terms that reflect both current market standards and personal financial needs.
More salary data for Johnston, RI:
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 Johnston. 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 Johnston 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