Police Officer Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $39.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Madison, WI runs $39.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,046 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,827 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median police officer hourly pay in Madison, Wisconsin, is projected at $39.93, which exceeds the national median of $37.76 per hour. This competitive rate provides ample opportunities for part-time and per-diem police officers working in various settings such as patrol cars, booking rooms, and specialized operations. For part-time officers working a standard schedule of three days a week, they can expect to earn a substantial income in a role that typically features diverse responsibilities. Moreover, the hourly range for police work in Madison spans from $30.59 for entry-level positions to as much as $48.76 for the most experienced officers, highlighting the potential for financial growth within this profession. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, ensuring accuracy in assessing the hourly compensation landscape for law enforcement professionals in the city.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.59 | $244.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.92 | $303.33 |
| Median (P50) | $39.93 | $319.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.05 | $336.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.76 | $390.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $39.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.93/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $83,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,911. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,597.02 | $6,920 | $83,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $958.21 | $4,152 | $49,827 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $638.81 | $2,768 | $33,218 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Madison) | $39.93 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $83,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.73% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 3.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $80,549.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.93/hr = $49,827/year (purchasing power: $51,216).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,045/year (purchasing power: $85,361).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Madison grew 26.5% from $30.63/hr (2019) to $38.74/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.15/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 Madison 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 Madison
When considering part-time work, a police officer in Madison working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can anticipate an annual income considerably lesser than their full-time counterparts, underscoring the financial realities of part-time law enforcement roles. Officers can also significantly enhance their earnings by taking advantage of per-diem assignments or overtime, which typically pays time-and-a-half for duties like court appearances or special operations. Supplemental off-duty assignments, such as security at public events or construction sites, commonly yield $35 to $75 per hour, providing an alternative income stream. The variation in hourly rates across employer types—from municipal police departments to federal agencies—also reveals a notable discrepancy in earnings. While some officers may opt for lower hourly wages with benefits, such as health insurance, others prefer the flexibility of higher rates without benefits. For those in Madison, practical negotiation skills are crucial as they navigate their compensation options, especially in a competitive market influenced by union representation and local budget constraints.
More salary data for Madison, 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 Madison. 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