Police Officer Hourly Pay in University Place, WA: $48.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in University Place, WA runs $48.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,876 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against University Place's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,528 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in University Place, Washington, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $48.50 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $37.76. This elevated rate is indicative of the cost of living in the area and reflects the vital role of law enforcement professionals in public safety. For part-time officers working three days a week, the expected earnings could be substantial even without full-time hours, particularly in shifts that include patrol duties, court appearances, and specialized units. The hourly range for police work varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $30.23, while skilled officers at the top of their field can earn up to $73.23 an hour, demonstrating the diverse earning potential within this profession in University Place.
About the University Place 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) | $30.23 | $241.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.25 | $297.97 |
| Median (P50) | $48.50 | $388.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.99 | $479.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.23 | $585.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in University Place
Based on $48.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.50/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in University Place, WA can expect to earn approximately $100,880 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,200. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in University Place.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in University Place
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,940.00 | $8,407 | $100,880 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,164.00 | $5,044 | $60,528 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $776.00 | $3,363 | $40,352 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (University Place) | $48.50 |
| 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 University Place, WA earn a median of $100,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.44% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $102,830.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.50/hr = $60,528/year (purchasing power: $56,358).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,880/year (purchasing power: $93,929).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in University Place grew 20.7% from $39.00/hr (2019) to $47.06/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.98/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 University Place 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 University Place
When evaluating the financial landscape of police work, it's crucial to understand how part-time schedules might translate into annual earnings. A police officer working a 24-hour week would take home a different figure than if they were employed full-time, which typically offers mandatory overtime pay for various duties, potentially enhancing base compensation by 20-50%. Additionally, many officers supplement their income through per diem police officer pay in University Place, performing off-duty assignments like security for events which can pay between $35-$75 an hour. Variations in pay are also prevalent across different types of employers—from municipal police departments to federal law enforcement agencies—creating a spectrum of opportunity and benefits. Some officers might choose lower hourly pay from local departments in exchange for extensive health benefits, while others might prefer the higher pay of federal agencies, resulting in no benefits. Negotiating salary often involves trade-offs, and understanding the specific needs of the department can help in securing a favorable agreement.
More salary data for University Place, 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 University Place. 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 University Place 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