Police Officer Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $40.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $40.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,448 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,071 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, UT, the police officer hourly pay sits at approximately $40.12, outpacing the national median of $37.76. This competitive rate indicates strong earning potential for both full-time and part-time officers, especially those working a typical part-time schedule of three days a week. For instance, a part-time officer may find themselves engaged in various tasks—whether responding to incidents from patrol vehicles, conducting interviews in plainclothes, or handling administrative duties at the police station. The hourly rate range, from $31.13 at the entry-level to $50.92 for the highest earners, reflects the diverse responsibilities and experience levels within the department. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing vital insights into the future of police officer compensation in the city.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.13 | $249.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.03 | $264.25 |
| Median (P50) | $40.12 | $320.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.81 | $382.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.92 | $407.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $40.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.12/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $83,452 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,146. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,604.85 | $6,954 | $83,452 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $962.91 | $4,173 | $50,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $641.94 | $2,782 | $33,381 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Salt Lake City) | $40.12 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $83,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.70% above the Utah state average of $80,470.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.12/hr = $50,071/year (purchasing power: $49,640).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,452/year (purchasing power: $82,734).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Salt Lake City grew 36.5% from $28.51/hr (2019) to $38.93/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.35/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Examining the earning potential for part-time police officers reveals that an individual working 24 hours a week could expect to take home a substantial annual compensation, though obviously less than full-time counterparts. For those engaged in per diem positions or agency work, the financial reality often includes the possibility of significant overtime. Many departments offer overtime pay at 1.5 times the standard hourly rate for off-duty court appearances or special assignments, with extra-duty assignments like event security often paying $35 to $75 per hour on a cash basis. Hourly rates will also differ depending on the employer; municipal police departments and state police typically provide different scales of pay compared to federal agencies. While some officers may opt for positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive benefits, practical negotiation tactics can help ensure that police officers maximize their worth in Salt Lake City. Overall, understanding pay structures and the benefits trade-off is essential for those navigating a career in law enforcement.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 Salt Lake City. 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