Police Officer Hourly Pay in Waukesha, WI: $41.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Waukesha, WI runs $41.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,668 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Waukesha's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,396 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Law enforcement professionals in Waukesha, WI, enjoy a competitive police officer hourly pay that is projected to reach $41.18 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $37.76. This elevated rate reflects the various demands placed on police officers who perform diverse duties such as patrol, report writing, and court testimony. For those opting for part-time work, the typical schedule of three days a week, equating to approximately 24 hours, still allows officers to earn a substantial income, especially when factoring in the range from $25.01 for entry-level positions up to $60.24 for more experienced officers. In Waukesha, the hourly pay landscape indicates a strong financial return, serving officers in multiple settings including police stations, special operations, and community engagements, catering to the varying needs of the local populace.
About the Waukesha 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) | $25.01 | $200.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.24 | $249.90 |
| Median (P50) | $41.18 | $329.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.74 | $413.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.24 | $481.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukesha
Based on $41.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.18/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukesha, WI can expect to earn approximately $85,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,419. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukesha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukesha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,647.31 | $7,138 | $85,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $988.39 | $4,283 | $51,396 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $658.92 | $2,855 | $34,264 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Waukesha) | $41.18 |
| 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 Waukesha, WI earn a median of $85,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.07% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $80,515.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.18/hr = $51,396/year (purchasing power: $55,028).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,660/year (purchasing power: $91,713).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Waukesha grew 20.7% from $33.11/hr (2019) to $39.96/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.44/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 Waukesha 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 Waukesha
A police officer working part-time in Waukesha may find their annual earnings considerably lower than their full-time counterparts, as full-time officers generally receive benefits that enhance their overall compensation package. Per diem police officer pay in Waukesha presents an additional dynamic for those looking for flexible work arrangements, with K-9 unit operations and other security details often paying cash between $35 to $75 per hour. It’s common for police officers to work mandatory overtime during peak times, such as court appearances or special events, resulting in a bump in overall earnings of up to 50%. Different employer types, encompassing municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies, also contribute to variance in hourly pay rates. Officers must weigh potential earnings against benefits, as those in municipal roles might sacrifice higher hourly compensation in exchange for health insurance and retirement benefits, which are critical considerations when negotiating their hourly rates in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Waukesha, 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 Waukesha. 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 Waukesha 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