Police Officer Hourly Pay in Morgantown, WV: $27.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Morgantown, WV runs $27.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,693 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Morgantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,020 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morgantown, West Virginia, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $27.26, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This pay scale impacts both full-time and part-time officers, with those working typical shifts in patrol vehicles, police station environments, or specialized units facing economic realities that shape their work choices. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly rate allows for a flexible schedule, which can be appealing for those balancing other commitments. The hourly compensation varies across experience levels, starting at $18.70 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $33.13 for top earners, according to official BLS data. This structured range not only highlights the progression opportunities within the department but also the essential roles these officers play in varied law enforcement capacities across the city.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.70 | $149.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.56 | $188.48 |
| Median (P50) | $27.26 | $218.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.92 | $231.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.13 | $265.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morgantown
Based on $27.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.26/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morgantown, WV can expect to earn approximately $56,699 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,711. With a cost-of-living index of 93.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morgantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morgantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,090.37 | $4,725 | $56,699 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $654.22 | $2,835 | $34,020 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $436.15 | $1,890 | $22,680 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Morgantown) | $27.26 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV earn a median of $56,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.82% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the West Virginia state average of $57,850.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.26/hr = $34,020/year (purchasing power: $36,454).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,699/year (purchasing power: $60,756).
CoL index: 93.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Morgantown grew 17.2% from $22.57/hr (2019) to $26.45/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.09/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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown
Logistically, the earning potential for part-time officers in Morgantown can lead to significant variation in take-home pay compared to those in full-time positions. A police officer working 24 hours a week could expect annual earnings lower than those of their full-time counterparts, impacting their financial stability. Furthermore, per diem police officer pay in Morgantown is influenced by numerous factors, as officers can often earn overtime pay for court appearances or extra assignments, significantly boosting their income. Departments in Morgantown, including municipal and county forces, may offer differing rates; for instance, off-duty details could command rates from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the type of service provided. Benefits packages sometimes attract officers to lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and retirement options, a critical consideration for many. Understanding these dynamics, including negotiation strategies tailored to Morgantown's policing context, becomes essential for officers looking to enhance their earning potential while navigating their careers.
More salary data for Morgantown, 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 Morgantown. 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