Police Officer Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $36.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Burlington, VT runs $36.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,677 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,007 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $36.86, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. For both part-time officers working three days a week and per-diem workers, this hourly figure translates into roughly $1,472.64 per week based on a typical 40-hour weekly schedule, making it feasible for those seeking flexible work arrangements. Officers can find themselves in varied environments, from patrolling assigned beats to processing reports at the police station or providing security at events. The hourly pay ranges significantly from $27.55 for entry-level positions (P10) to up to $48.37 for the more experienced or specialized officers (P90). These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and serve as a reliable indicator of expected compensation levels in the field.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.55 | $220.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.34 | $242.73 |
| Median (P50) | $36.86 | $294.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.37 | $322.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.37 | $386.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $36.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.86/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $76,678 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,237. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,474.58 | $6,390 | $76,678 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $884.75 | $3,834 | $46,007 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.83 | $2,556 | $30,671 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Burlington) | $36.86 |
| 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 Burlington, VT earn a median of $76,677 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.37% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.70% below the Vermont state average of $81,311.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.86/hr = $46,007/year (purchasing power: $45,574).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,678/year (purchasing power: $75,957).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Burlington grew 37.2% from $26.08/hr (2019) to $35.77/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.99/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
For part-time police officers working 24 hours a week, their annual earnings can differ markedly compared to full-time colleagues. Given that many departments require mandatory overtime for tasks like court appearances or special details, part-timers benefit from additional pay that can significantly boost their take-home income. The per diem police officer pay in Burlington can also be lucrative, with off-duty assignments at rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the task. Hourly rates can vary widely across employer types; for instance, municipal police departments generally offer lower hourly pay than federal law enforcement agencies, which often provide salaries that reflect their broader jurisdictional responsibilities and enhanced benefit packages. Negotiating conditions can lean into discussions about health benefits versus hourly wages, as some may opt for positions with lower hourly rates that include comprehensive health insurance while others chase higher per-hour pay in roles lacking these benefits. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for those entering or advancing in law enforcement within Burlington, VT.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 Burlington. 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