Police Officer Hourly Pay in River Falls, WI: $36.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in River Falls, WI runs $36.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,893 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against River Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,531 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, the projected police officer hourly pay stands at $36.48 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This figure is particularly relevant for officers working part-time or on a per-diem basis, where shifts might range from assignments in patrol vehicles to essential roles during court testimony. For those working three days a week, which adds up to 24 hours, the earnings can be substantial, reflecting the typical demands of the job. The hourly range highlights significant earning potential, from entry-level positions starting around $22.94 to seasoned officers earning as much as $52.89, illuminating the numerous pathways available in law enforcement settings throughout River Falls.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.94 | $183.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.52 | $236.13 |
| Median (P50) | $36.48 | $291.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.13 | $369.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.89 | $423.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in River Falls
Based on $36.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.48/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in River Falls, WI can expect to earn approximately $75,885 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,780. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in River Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in River Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,459.33 | $6,324 | $75,885 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $875.60 | $3,794 | $45,531 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $583.73 | $2,530 | $30,354 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (River Falls) | $36.48 |
| 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 River Falls, WI earn a median of $75,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,566.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.48/hr = $45,531/year (purchasing power: $48,748).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,885/year (purchasing power: $81,247).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in River Falls grew 20.7% from $29.33/hr (2019) to $35.40/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.60/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 River Falls 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 River Falls
For part-time officers, working 24 hours a week translates to a potential annual income that may fall short of the full-time equivalent, which significantly affects long-term financial planning. Meanwhile, the per-diem police officer pay in River Falls can vary widely, especially with the potential for mandatory overtime—as many departments routinely provide extra compensation for court appearances and special details. With overtime rates reaching up to 1.5 times the base pay, earnings can skyrocket, particularly for off-duty assignments, which can command cash rates between $35 and $75 per hour. The job landscape also varies across employer types in River Falls, from municipal police to federal agencies, with each providing different compensation structures and benefits. Officers in certain roles might choose lower hourly rates with valuable health insurance benefits, while others might pursue higher hourly work without those perks. Negotiating pay based on these factors can greatly affect one's career trajectory and overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for River Falls, 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 River Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for River Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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