Police Officer Hourly Pay in Milwaukee, WI: $40.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Milwaukee, WI runs $40.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,602 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,766 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, the police officer hourly pay stands at $40.68, which is notably higher than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate provides competitive compensation for officers working in various settings, such as patrol vehicles, booking rooms at police stations, and courtrooms during criminal trials. For those considering part-time work, such as a 3-day/week schedule, this rate translates into a solid earning potential, especially when factoring in the diverse environments officers operate in, from plainclothes detective work to special units like SWAT. The hourly range for police officers in Milwaukee spans from $32.24 for entry-level positions to $46.43 for experienced officers, showing distinct earning pathways that reflect both experience and responsibility. The data cited here is upheld by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and offers an accurate snapshot of the hourly compensation landscape for law enforcement professionals in the area.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.24 | $257.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.91 | $311.24 |
| Median (P50) | $40.68 | $325.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.93 | $367.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.43 | $371.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Milwaukee
Based on $40.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.68/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $84,610 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,813. With a cost-of-living index of 96.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,627.11 | $7,051 | $84,610 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $976.27 | $4,230 | $50,766 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $650.84 | $2,820 | $33,844 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Milwaukee) | $40.68 |
| 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 Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $84,602 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 5.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $80,573.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.68/hr = $50,766/year (purchasing power: $52,370).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,610/year (purchasing power: $87,283).
CoL index: 96.937 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Milwaukee grew 10.3% from $35.78/hr (2019) to $39.47/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.92/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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
Examining the part-time earning potential reveals that a police officer working just 24 hours a week can expect to collect a substantial annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Many officers opt for per-diem assignments, where the distinguishing factor often lies in overtime pay, which typically starts at 1.5 times their base hourly rate for court appearances and other duties. These additional hours and extra-duty assignments can significantly enhance earnings; off-duty positions, such as event security, can offer rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. In Milwaukee, the type of employer plays a critical role in determining earnings, with municipal departments providing different pay structures than federal agencies such as the FBI or DEA. Some officers are willing to accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, which can be a compelling benefit for many. As a practical tip for those working hourly, especially within union environments like the FOP, negotiating for additional hours or special duties can lead to increased pay, ensuring that officers maximize their earnings potential in both routine and extraordinary circumstances.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Milwaukee in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Milwaukee?
Are police officers in Milwaukee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Milwaukee?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Milwaukee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Milwaukee. 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