Police Officer Hourly Pay in Pawtucket, RI: $37.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Pawtucket, RI runs $37.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,849 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Pawtucket's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,306 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, police officers can expect a median hourly pay of $37.91, which slightly exceeds the national median of $37.76. This rate significantly impacts those in part-time positions, such as officers working three days a week, as they can potentially earn a respectable income while balancing other commitments. Per-diem workers in various police settings—from patrol vehicles to courtrooms—also benefit from this hourly compensation structure. The hourly wage for Pawtucket police officers ranges from $22.80 for entry-level positions to $58.75 for the most experienced and skilled personnel. These figures are derived from annual salary data, allowing for a nuanced understanding of earnings across different levels of experience and responsibilities in the field.
About the Pawtucket 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) | $22.80 | $182.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.59 | $228.71 |
| Median (P50) | $37.91 | $303.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.28 | $386.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.75 | $470.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pawtucket
Based on $37.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.91/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pawtucket, RI can expect to earn approximately $78,843 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,487. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pawtucket.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pawtucket
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,516.22 | $6,570 | $78,843 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $909.73 | $3,942 | $47,306 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $606.49 | $2,628 | $31,537 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Pawtucket) | $37.91 |
| 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 Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $78,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $78,928.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.91/hr = $47,306/year (purchasing power: $47,071).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,843/year (purchasing power: $78,451).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Pawtucket grew 20.7% from $30.48/hr (2019) to $36.78/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.07/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 Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket
Considering the financial landscape, part-time police officers working 24 hours a week will take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts, yet they still find themselves earning a noteworthy sum. Overtime is often commonplace in police work; officers may earn additional pay at 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances or shift extensions, effectively boosting their income by 20-50%. This comes into play particularly for those working agency or locum positions, where consistent overtime opportunities are available. Various employer types in Pawtucket offer different pay scales; for example, municipal departments differ from federal agencies not only in their pay structures but also in the benefits they provide. Some officers might opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for reliable health insurance, while others prefer higher pay rates without the safety net of benefits. For those negotiating hourly compensation, understanding the context of the Pawtucket job market and leveraging the array of employer options is essential in navigating career growth.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Pawtucket in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Pawtucket?
Are police officers in Pawtucket paid hourly or salary?
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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 Pawtucket. 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 Pawtucket 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