Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kirkland, WA: $49.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kirkland, WA runs $49.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,516 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kirkland's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,506 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kirkland, Washington, the projected median hourly pay for police officers stands at $49.28, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This substantial difference reflects not just the local cost of living but also the competitive nature of police work in this region. Officers typically operate in diverse environments, from patrol vehicles on assigned beats to specialized operations in plainclothes or during tactical assignments. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to meaningful earnings, allowing them to balance jobs or coursework while still actively engaging in law enforcement duties. For those in more advanced roles, the hourly range stretches from $29.41 for entry-level positions to $73.14 for top earners, emphasizing the growth potential in this career.
About the Kirkland 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) | $29.41 | $235.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.03 | $296.24 |
| Median (P50) | $49.28 | $394.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.66 | $501.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.14 | $585.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkland
Based on $49.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.28/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkland, WA can expect to earn approximately $102,509 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,140. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kirkland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,971.33 | $8,542 | $102,509 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,182.80 | $5,125 | $61,506 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $788.53 | $3,417 | $41,004 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kirkland) | $49.28 |
| 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 Kirkland, WA earn a median of $102,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.52% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.30% below the Washington state average of $102,824.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.28/hr = $61,506/year (purchasing power: $57,268).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,509/year (purchasing power: $95,446).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kirkland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kirkland grew 20.7% from $39.63/hr (2019) to $47.82/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.79/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 Kirkland 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 Kirkland
Considering the earning dynamics for part-time officers in Kirkland, a typical three-day workweek encompassing 24 hours yields a substantial annual income when compared to full-time roles. However, part-time and per diem positions may lead officers towards shifts where mandatory overtime often enhances their pay—an additional 20-50% for court appearances or special details can dramatically impact earnings. This variability offers insights into agency and locum pay arrangements, where off-duty assignments can pay between $35-$75 per hour. The type of employer also affects compensation; municipal police departments may offer lower hourly rates compared to federal positions, which often include more comprehensive benefits. Notably, some officers might prefer lower hourly rates for the security of health benefits. Understanding this trade-off and being prepared to negotiate on hourly pay, especially in a market like Kirkland, is crucial for maximizing compensation throughout one’s law enforcement career.
More salary data for Kirkland, 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 Kirkland. 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 Kirkland 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