Police Officer Hourly Pay in Wauwatosa, WI: $36.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Wauwatosa, WI runs $36.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,353 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Wauwatosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,814 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $36.71, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This discrepancy may influence part-time and per diem police officers, many of whom work in diverse settings such as patrol vehicles, booking stations, and specialized units like K-9 operations. The hourly rates for police work in this area span from $23.87 for entry-level positions to $54.33 for top earners. These figures are based on extrapolations from annual salary data, allowing officers the flexibility to structure their schedules around shifts of various lengths, including typical three-day work weeks. This versatility can be particularly appealing to those balancing multiple commitments or seeking specialized roles within law enforcement.
About the Wauwatosa 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) | $23.87 | $190.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.92 | $231.35 |
| Median (P50) | $36.71 | $293.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.90 | $375.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.33 | $434.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wauwatosa
Based on $36.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.71/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wauwatosa, WI can expect to earn approximately $76,357 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,052. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wauwatosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wauwatosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,468.40 | $6,363 | $76,357 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $881.04 | $3,818 | $45,814 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $587.36 | $2,545 | $30,543 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Wauwatosa) | $36.71 |
| 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 Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $76,353 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.79% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,541.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.71/hr = $45,814/year (purchasing power: $49,051).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,357/year (purchasing power: $81,752).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Wauwatosa grew 20.7% from $29.52/hr (2019) to $35.62/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.83/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 Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa
Examining the potential earnings for part-time police officers in Wauwatosa, those working three days a week, amounting to 24 hours, could realistically expect to take home around $45,830 annually—less than what full-time officers accumulate. The per diem opportunities in police work also reflect a reality where overtime is frequently mandated, often bumping earnings by 20-50% due to court appearances and special details. Many officers also have the chance to earn extra through off-duty assignments, which can yield rates between $35 and $75 per hour. Differences in hourly rates arise based on employment type; municipal police departments may offer more consistent schedules compared to state or federal law enforcement agencies, which can compensate more generously but also demand higher qualifications and responsibilities. Benefits packages often influence pay negotiations as well—officers may choose lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance, while others prefer higher pay with less financial safety net. For those in Wauwatosa, negotiating effectively can hinge on understanding these trade-offs and the dynamics at play within the local law enforcement landscape.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa. 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 Wauwatosa 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