Police Officer Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $38.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Wausau, WI runs $38.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,541 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,322 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $38.72, which is slightly above the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This competitive rate can significantly benefit part-time officers working three days a week, allowing them to earn substantial income even with a reduced schedule. The hourly pay offers versatility for per-diem police officers who engage in various assignments across different settings, such as patrol cars, booking rooms, and court testimony. For those entering the field, the starting hourly wage is approximately $29.30, while more experienced officers can earn up to $48.95, encompassing a comprehensive range that reflects both entry-level and top-earning potential within the Wausau area, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.30 | $234.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.17 | $297.39 |
| Median (P50) | $38.72 | $309.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.46 | $323.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.95 | $391.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $38.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.72/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $80,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,464. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,548.79 | $6,711 | $80,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $929.27 | $4,027 | $48,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $619.51 | $2,685 | $32,215 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Wausau) | $38.72 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $80,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.55% higher than the national median of $78,542.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.72/hr = $48,322/year (purchasing power: $52,155).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,537/year (purchasing power: $86,925).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Wausau grew 18.3% from $31.76/hr (2019) to $37.57/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.90/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
Considering a part-time position as a police officer in Wausau, an officer working 24 hours a week could expect to make around $60,000 annually, which is considerably less than a full-time counterpart, but still a respectable sum. The reality of police work often includes mandatory overtime, which can enhance hourly earnings significantly, especially during court appearances or special operations, with overtime pay reaching 1.5 times the base hourly rate. Officers working in various capacities—ranging from municipal departments to federal law enforcement—may experience differences in hourly pay rates, impacting their overall earnings. While some positions offer lower hourly wages, they often come with health benefits, making those roles appealing despite potentially reduced pay. Those entering the field should negotiate effectively, considering both the hourly pay and benefits, as well as the unique realities of Wausau's law enforcement landscape, where roles in private security or state agencies can yield different pay structures and incentives.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 Wausau. 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