Police Officer Hourly Pay in Mountlake Terrace, WA: $45.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Mountlake Terrace, WA runs $45.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,226 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Mountlake Terrace's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $42.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,133 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The police officer hourly pay in Mountlake Terrace, Washington is projected to be $45.78 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This robust rate reflects the value placed on law enforcement in this community, considering the demanding nature of the job which often requires officers to work in various settings such as patrol vehicles, police stations, and during court testimonies. For part-time officers working typical three-day weeks, earnings can become substantial, particularly when factoring in the hourly range that stretches from $31.31 for entry-level positions to $66.42 for top earners. Such earning capacity is appealing for those who might engage in per diem police officer roles in Mountlake Terrace, allowing for flexibility while earning competitive wages.
About the Mountlake Terrace 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) | $31.31 | $250.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.07 | $296.57 |
| Median (P50) | $45.78 | $366.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.92 | $463.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.42 | $531.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountlake Terrace
Based on $45.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.78/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountlake Terrace, WA can expect to earn approximately $95,221 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,935. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountlake Terrace.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountlake Terrace
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,831.17 | $7,935 | $95,221 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,098.70 | $4,761 | $57,133 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $732.47 | $3,174 | $38,088 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Mountlake Terrace) | $45.78 |
| 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 Mountlake Terrace, WA earn a median of $95,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.24% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 7.40% below the Washington state average of $102,836.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.78/hr = $57,133/year (purchasing power: $53,196).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,221/year (purchasing power: $88,660).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Mountlake Terrace (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Mountlake Terrace grew 20.7% from $36.81/hr (2019) to $44.42/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.18/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 Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace
Exploring the financial aspects of police work reveals critical insights about part-time versus full-time earnings in Mountlake Terrace. A part-time officer working 24 hours a week could take home about $57,693 annually before taxes, which highlights the disparity when compared to full-time officers who earn a median of $95,226. Additionally, many police roles can lead to significant overtime pay, with rates of 1.5 times the base pay commonly seen for court appearances or special operations, which can increase total compensation by a considerable margin—potentially adding 20-50%. The landscape of hourly pay varies based on employer types; city police departments generally offer competitive rates, while federal law enforcement roles such as the FBI and DEA may provide higher compensation but require different qualifications and training. It's essential for officers in Mountlake Terrace to weigh the trade-off between the higher hourly rate often seen with private security roles and the benefits provided by full-time municipal positions. Practical strategies for negotiating hourly pay can include leveraging specialized skills, obtaining additional certifications, and staying informed on local salary trends to ensure a fair and rewarding compensation package.
More salary data for Mountlake Terrace, 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 Mountlake Terrace. 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 Mountlake Terrace 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