Police Officer Hourly Pay in Huntington, WV: $27.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Huntington, WV runs $27.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,848 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Huntington's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,701 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntington, WV, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $27.81, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This gap highlights the financial challenges faced by local law enforcement compared to their counterparts in more urbanized areas. For those considering part-time or per-diem work, typical shifts might involve varied responsibilities, ranging from patrol vehicles and booking rooms to court appearances and special operations. This sector offers an hourly range where entry-level officers start at approximately $19.89 and top earners can make up to $35.42, according to projections based on 2025 BLS data. The availability of flexible work arrangements and specific assignments can influence take-home pay, particularly for those pursuing part-time opportunities alongside full-time careers or in transitional roles.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.89 | $159.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.99 | $183.94 |
| Median (P50) | $27.81 | $222.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.38 | $243.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.42 | $283.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington
Based on $27.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.81/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington, WV can expect to earn approximately $57,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,367. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,112.22 | $4,820 | $57,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $667.33 | $2,892 | $34,701 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.89 | $1,928 | $23,134 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Huntington) | $27.81 |
| 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 Huntington, WV earn a median of $57,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.35% lower than the national median of $78,542.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.81/hr = $34,701/year (purchasing power: $39,245).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,836/year (purchasing power: $65,409).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Huntington grew 33.9% from $20.15/hr (2019) to $26.98/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.66/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 Huntington 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 Huntington
When examining the financial implications of being a police officer in Huntington, part-time officers working three days a week can expect to take home considerably less annually than their full-time counterparts. Often, law enforcement employs mandatory overtime that can effectively boost earnings significantly; officers might earn time-and-a-half for court appearances or additional duty details, leading to 20-50% increases over their base pay. In Huntington, hourly rates can also vary by employer type—municipal police, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies like the FBI all offer different pay structures. Additionally, some officers may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for the security of benefits such as health insurance. For those engaged in negotiations, understanding the local pay scales and the value of benefits can play a pivotal role in achieving a satisfactory compensation package.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
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 Huntington. 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