Police Officer Salary in Hastings, NE: $70,114 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Hastings, NE earns a median $70,114/year (≈ $33.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Hastings's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $76,627 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Police officers in Hastings, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $70,114 in 2026, reflecting the city's commitment to competitive compensation within the public safety sector. The salary spectrum ranges from approximately $43,105 at the lower end (P10) to about $101,020 at the upper tier (P90). These figures account for local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost projections. Compared to the national median annual salary for law enforcement, which is set at $78,542, Hastings’s compensation is lower but is shaped by local economic conditions and the unique demands of community policing. The pay structure attempts to stabilize employee retention while motivating current officers to remain in service.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,105 | $20.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,406 | $25.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,114 | $33.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,697 | $42.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,020 | $48.57 |
Median Salary Position
10.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hastings
In Hastings, NE, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,915 (2026 est.). At $70,114, the local median is 10.73% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hastings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hastings Police Officer Pay Compares
Hastings median: $70,114/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hastings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $71,838 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -10.73% less |
Police Officers in Hastings, NE earn a median of $70,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.73% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $71,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hastings has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hastings, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $70,114 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,627 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,373
2025 BLS Actual
$68,032
2026 Current Est.
$70,114
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,373 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,507 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,677 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,524 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,347 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,032 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,114 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hastings metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $56,373 (2019) to $68,032 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,886 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hastings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,105 – $53,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,406 – $70,114 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,114 – $87,697 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,697 – $101,020 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Hastings
In Hastings, the local job market currently employs just five police officers, highlighting a relatively stable police force amidst modest employment levels. With a cost-of-living index at 91.5, those serving can have a different purchasing power than their counterparts in higher-cost regions. Among agencies, municipal police departments typically offer the highest salaries when compared to county sheriff's offices and federal law enforcement positions. Factors like agency type, special unit assignments, overtime structures, and pension formulas play substantial roles in determining the disparities between entry-point salaries and those at the peak of the scale. To maximize earnings, prospective officers should consider pursuing advanced education, which often provides additional salary incentives, and seek out specialized assignments that can enhance their overall pay in Hastings, NE.
More salary data for Hastings, NE:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $68,032 for police officersin the Hastings metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hastings 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