Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kenosha, WI: $39.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kenosha, WI runs $39.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,191 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kenosha's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,721 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The police officer hourly pay in Kenosha, Wisconsin reflects a strong compensation rate in comparison to national averages. Projected for 2026, the median hourly rate stands at $39.04, which is notably higher than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate allows part-time officers working three days a week, or 24 hours, to earn a decent income while balancing other commitments. For those engaged in per-diem work, the diverse environments—from patrol vehicles to booking rooms and court testimonies—provide numerous opportunities for flexible scheduling. Within Kenosha, the hourly range for police officers spans from $38.68 at the 10th percentile to $46.14 for the highest earners, showcasing a robust earning potential across different career stages in law enforcement.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.68 | $309.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.68 | $309.43 |
| Median (P50) | $39.04 | $312.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.03 | $344.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.14 | $369.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenosha
Based on $39.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.04/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenosha, WI can expect to earn approximately $81,201 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,847. With a cost-of-living index of 101.12 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kenosha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenosha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,561.57 | $6,767 | $81,201 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $936.94 | $4,060 | $48,721 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.63 | $2,707 | $32,481 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kenosha) | $39.04 |
| 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 Kenosha, WI earn a median of $81,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $80,546.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.04/hr = $48,721/year (purchasing power: $48,182).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,201/year (purchasing power: $80,304).
CoL index: 101.118 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kenosha grew 20.7% from $31.39/hr (2019) to $37.88/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.23/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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha
In terms of annual earnings, a part-time officer in Kenosha can expect to take home significantly less than full-timers, who benefit from structured overtime and other financial incentives. A common reality for many police officers is the inclusion of mandatory overtime, which can increase pay by 20-50% when they appear in court or engage in special assignments. Additionally, off-duty jobs, such as event security or construction site flagging, can also yield extra income at rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. Moreover, hourly compensation may differ depending on the employer type, whether in municipal settings, county sheriff's offices, or federal law enforcement. Officers often face a decision between lower hourly wages with benefits and higher pay without health coverage. In Kenosha, negotiating wisely can lead to improved pay packages, especially given the competitive nature of law enforcement roles and the potential for lucrative per diem police officer pay.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
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 Kenosha. 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, 2-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