Police Officer Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $57.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Seattle, WA runs $57.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,643 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,191 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officer hourly pay in Seattle, Washington, reaches a median of $57.04, substantially higher than the national median of $37.76. This notable disparity highlights Seattle's prioritized funding for law enforcement and the demand for qualified officers in a city known for its high living costs and vibrant public safety needs. For part-time officers working three shifts a week, this hourly rate translates to approximately $44,223 annually, an appealing income for those fulfilling vital duties across various settings such as patrol vehicles, police stations, and even courtrooms during criminal trials. The hourly earnings range from $46.72 at the entry-level (P10) to $67.44 for top earners (P90), reflecting the diverse opportunities available to police officers in Seattle, as per the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.72 | $373.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.45 | $403.58 |
| Median (P50) | $57.04 | $456.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.91 | $503.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.44 | $539.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $57.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.04/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $118,651 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,452. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,281.75 | $9,888 | $118,651 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,369.05 | $5,933 | $71,191 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $912.70 | $3,955 | $47,460 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Seattle) | $57.04 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $118,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.06% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 15.30% above the Washington state average of $102,899.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.04/hr = $71,191/year (purchasing power: $64,059).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,651/year (purchasing power: $106,765).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Seattle grew 32.0% from $41.93/hr (2019) to $55.35/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.79/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Officers seeking part-time roles, or those working per diem in Seattle, may find varying earning potential when accounting for overtime—often mandatory in police work. While a part-time officer working just 24 hours weekly may bring home less than a full-time counterpart, additional opportunities can significantly augment their income, especially with overtime pay commencing at 1.5 times their base rate for court appearances or special assignments. Many departments also offer lucrative off-duty assignments that can pay between $35 and $75 per hour, providing additional financial flexibility. Furthermore, hourly rates can fluctuate dramatically depending on employer type, with federal agencies generally offering the highest pay compared to municipal and county departments. Many officers choose to prioritize benefits and stability through salaried positions, accepting lower hourly pay for comprehensive health insurance and retirement packages, while others may opt for higher hourly wages but lack the same benefits. When negotiating pay, being informed about the current market rates in Seattle and understanding the trade-offs of various employment types is essential for maximizing earnings in this rewarding yet demanding field.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 Seattle. 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