How much do police officers make per hour?
Police officers are an essential part of modern society, working tirelessly to keep our communities safe. But have you ever wondered how much they make per hour? The answer is not a simple one, as it varies greatly depending on factors such as location, experience, and rank.
What is the national average salary for police officers?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average salary for police and sheriff’s patrol officers was $61,380 as of May 2020. However, this is just an average, and salaries can vary significantly depending on where you work.
How much do police officers make per hour?
To calculate the hourly wage of a police officer, we need to first determine their annual salary, and then divide that number by the number of hours they work in a year. According to the BLS, police officers work an average of 40 hours per week, or 2,080 hours per year.
Using the national average salary of $61,380, we can calculate the hourly wage as follows:
$61,380 ÷ 2,080 hours = $29.38 per hour
Do police officers make more or less than the national average?
As mentioned earlier, salaries can vary greatly depending on location, experience, and rank. According to data from the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, the following are the average hourly wages for police officers in different cities:
| City | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| New York City | $41.45 |
| Los Angeles | $33.25 |
| Chicago | $28.75 |
| Houston | $27.15 |
| Phoenix | $24.85 |
| Philadelphia | $23.95 |
| San Antonio | $23.45 |
As you can see, police officers in New York City make significantly more than the national average, while those in Phoenix and Philadelphia make less.
Factors that affect police officer salary
Several factors can impact a police officer’s salary, including:
- Location: As mentioned earlier, salaries can vary significantly depending on where you work. Cities with high crime rates or high costs of living tend to pay police officers more.
- Experience: More experienced officers tend to earn higher salaries.
- Rank: Officers with higher ranks, such as sergeants or lieutenants, earn more than those with lower ranks.
- Training: Officers with specialized training or certifications, such as SWAT or K9, may earn higher salaries.
Conclusion
Police officers play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, and their salaries reflect their importance. While the national average salary for police officers is $61,380, salaries can vary significantly depending on location, experience, and rank. As highlighted in the table above, police officers in certain cities, such as New York City, earn significantly more than the national average, while those in other cities earn less.
Takeaway points:
- Police officers work an average of 40 hours per week, or 2,080 hours per year.
- The national average salary for police officers is $61,380.
- Salaries can vary greatly depending on location, experience, and rank.
- Police officers in certain cities, such as New York City, earn significantly more than the national average, while those in other cities earn less.
- Factors that affect police officer salary include location, experience, rank, and training.
