Police Officer Hourly Pay in Richland, WA: $52.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Richland, WA runs $52.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,016 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Richland's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,007 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Richland, Washington, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $52.89, significantly higher than the national average of $37.76. This elevated rate can provide favorable conditions for those exploring part-time roles or per diem positions. An officer working three days a week could expect to generate substantial income while engaging in various critical duties such as patrolling neighborhoods, conducting report writing at police stations, and collaborating in federal investigations. With an hourly range extending from $32.81 for entry-level positions to $78.09 for top earners, the diversity of tasks across different environments—from special units like SWAT to routine assignments—allows for flexible work arrangements within the Richland police department.
About the Richland 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) | $32.81 | $262.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.64 | $325.09 |
| Median (P50) | $52.89 | $423.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.05 | $536.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.09 | $624.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richland
Based on $52.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.89/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richland, WA can expect to earn approximately $110,012 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,468. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Richland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,115.62 | $9,168 | $110,012 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,269.37 | $5,501 | $66,007 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $846.25 | $3,667 | $44,005 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Richland) | $52.89 |
| 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 Richland, WA earn a median of $110,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.07% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% above the Washington state average of $102,818.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.89/hr = $66,007/year (purchasing power: $61,459).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,012/year (purchasing power: $102,432).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Richland grew 20.7% from $42.53/hr (2019) to $51.32/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.51/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 Richland 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 Richland
For a part-time police officer working 24 hours a week, the annual earnings can substantially differ from a full-time role due to the potential overtime pay structures typically present in this line of work. Many officers could see their base rates increase by 20-50% when factoring in overtime for special assignments, court appearances, or off-duty work, like event security. The variation in hourly rates across employers in Richland—municipal departments, county sheriffs, and state police—also reflects differences in benefits packages. Officers may weigh the choice of a slightly lower hourly rate with comprehensive health insurance against higher pay from agencies that do not offer such benefits. For those negotiating their **police officer hourly pay in Richland**, it is essential to consider both the immediate pay and the long-term financial security offered by different types of employers and their respective benefit plans.
More salary data for Richland, 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 Richland. 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 Richland 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