Police Officer Hourly Pay in Yakima, WA: $48.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Yakima, WA runs $48.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,349 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Yakima's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,811 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Yakima, WA, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $48.73, significantly above the national median of $37.76 per hour. This competitive wage enhances the attractiveness of police work in the area, particularly for those considering part-time employment or per-diem work. Officers typically work various shifts on assigned beats, which may include patrolling or performing duties within the police station, such as report writing or court testimony. The hourly pay range for police officers in Yakima varies from $36.18 for entry-level positions to $51.12 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the diverse roles within the profession, including special unit operations and federal investigations. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring potential recruits have a clear understanding of what to expect in terms of police officer hourly pay in Yakima.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.18 | $289.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.64 | $325.09 |
| Median (P50) | $48.73 | $389.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.12 | $408.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.12 | $408.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yakima
Based on $48.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.73/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yakima, WA can expect to earn approximately $101,352 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,472. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yakima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yakima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,949.07 | $8,446 | $101,352 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.44 | $5,068 | $60,811 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.63 | $3,378 | $40,541 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Yakima) | $48.73 |
| 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 Yakima, WA earn a median of $101,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.04% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% below the Washington state average of $102,893.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.73/hr = $60,811/year (purchasing power: $63,646).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,352/year (purchasing power: $106,077).
CoL index: 95.545 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Yakima grew 28.1% from $36.91/hr (2019) to $47.28/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.22/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 Yakima 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 Yakima
Examining the financial implications for part-time officers reveals a clear discrepancy in potential earnings. For example, an officer working three days a week at 24 hours total will earn a considerable income, but it may still fall short of what full-time officers take home annually. Moreover, given the mandatory overtime often attached to police work for court appearances and special operations, many officers find their pay augmented by significant overtime earnings—typically 1.5 times their base rate—which can add 20-50% to their overall income. Positions with different employer types in Yakima also contribute to variations in hourly pay, where municipal police departments generally offer structured pay but lack some benefits found in federal agencies, such as comprehensive health care coverage. This juxtaposition often leads officers to accept lower hourly wages for the security of benefits. Practical negotiation strategies in Yakima should focus on clarifying the total compensation package, including overtime rates and opportunities for additional assignments, as these factors greatly influence the overall earning potential for police officers in the region.
More salary data for Yakima, 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 Yakima. 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