Police Officer Hourly Pay in Bellevue, WA: $57.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Bellevue, WA runs $57.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,805 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,885 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $57.60, significantly above the national hourly median of $37.76. This premium reflects the higher cost of living in the area, allowing officers to earn a respectable wage while working in various roles such as patrol, court testimony, or special operations. The hourly rate spans from $33.80 for entry-level positions to $89.28 for top earners, highlighting a diverse pay structure driven by experience and specialization. For part-time and per-diem opportunities, the pay is particularly attractive, providing flexibility for those in law enforcement who wish to balance work and life. Officers working three days a week in patrol cars or performing investigations in specialized units can expect earnings that align well with the regional standards.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.80 | $270.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.06 | $344.47 |
| Median (P50) | $57.60 | $460.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.73 | $589.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.28 | $714.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $57.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.60/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, WA can expect to earn approximately $119,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,120. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,304.01 | $9,984 | $119,808 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,382.41 | $5,990 | $71,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $921.60 | $3,994 | $47,923 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Bellevue) | $57.60 |
| 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 Bellevue, WA earn a median of $119,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 52.54% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 16.50% above the Washington state average of $102,837.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.60/hr = $71,885/year (purchasing power: $66,932).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,808/year (purchasing power: $111,554).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Bellevue grew 20.7% from $46.31/hr (2019) to $55.89/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.36/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
When considering part-time versus full-time work, a police officer's financial outlook can vary widely. Someone working 24 hours a week might earn significantly less than a full-time counterpart, depending on their department's specific policies regarding hourly pay and benefits. The reality of per-diem police officer pay in Bellevue often involves additional opportunities, such as overtime for court appearances and extra-duty assignments, which can elevate hourly pay by 20-50% above the base rate. The type of employer also influences earnings; municipal police tend to pay less than federal agencies, where officers may expect more robust hourly compensation but at the cost of less job security. Comparing offers is crucial; while some may opt for higher pay without benefits, others may seek the stability that accompanies a lower rate with comprehensive health insurance. Negotiating for the best package can involve considerations not just of hourly rates but of overall compensation, including leave and retirement benefits, crucial in attracting talent to challenging law enforcement roles in Bellevue.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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