Police Officer Pay Schedule 2026

Police officers across the United States are paid on schedules that vary depending on whether they work for a municipal department, county sheriff's office, state police agency, or federal law enforcement bureau. The most common pay frequency for law enforcement in 2026 is biweekly, with officers receiving a paycheck every two weeks on a Friday. This biweekly cycle produces 26 paychecks per year, with each pay period covering a 14-day span from Sunday through Saturday. Pay is typically issued on the Friday following the close of the pay period, though exact timing varies by jurisdiction.

Federal law enforcement officers, including those employed by the FBI, DEA, ATF, CBP (Customs and Border Protection), Secret Service, ICE, and U.S. Marshals Service, are paid under the General Schedule (GS) pay system. These officers follow the same biweekly pay calendar as all federal employees, with pay periods and dates published annually by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Federal law enforcement officers also receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), which is an additional 25 percent of base pay to compensate for the substantial amount of unscheduled duty hours required by their positions. LEAP is included in each biweekly paycheck automatically.

State police and highway patrol officers are paid by their respective state governments, and pay schedules vary by state. Most state police agencies use biweekly pay, though some states pay semi-monthly or monthly. State troopers are typically placed on a step-and-grade pay scale similar to the federal GS system, where salary increases are based on years of service (steps) and rank or assignment (grades). Many state police unions negotiate additional pay for specialized assignments such as detective work, K-9 handling, SWAT, or motorcycle patrol.

Municipal and county police departments are the most common employers of law enforcement officers, and their pay schedules are set by city or county government. The vast majority of these departments pay biweekly on Fridays. Officer compensation typically includes a base salary determined by rank and seniority, plus additional pay components such as shift differentials for evening or overnight work, educational incentive pay for officers holding college degrees, and longevity pay for years of service. Many departments also compensate officers for off-duty court appearances and special detail assignments such as traffic control at construction sites or security at public events.

Overtime rules for police officers differ from those of most civilian workers due to Section 207(k) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This provision allows law enforcement employers to use a work period of 7 to 28 days for calculating overtime, rather than the standard 7-day workweek. Under a 28-day work period, overtime kicks in only after 171 hours, compared to 160 hours under the standard 40-hour-per-week rule. This means officers on a 28-day cycle can work additional hours before qualifying for overtime pay at the 1.5 times rate. Departments that use 10-hour or 12-hour shift schedules often take advantage of this provision.

For police officers on a standard biweekly Friday schedule in 2026, expected pay dates include January 9, January 23, February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1, May 15, May 29, June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21, September 4, September 18, October 2, October 16, October 30, November 13, November 27, December 11, and December 25 (likely adjusted to December 24 due to the Christmas holiday). Officers should confirm exact dates with their department's payroll office, as individual jurisdictions may use slightly different pay period start dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do police officers get paid?

Most police officers in the United States are paid on a biweekly basis, receiving a paycheck every two weeks, typically on a Friday. This results in 26 paychecks per year. Biweekly pay is the standard for municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, state police agencies, and federal law enforcement agencies. Some smaller municipalities may use semi-monthly or monthly pay schedules, but these are less common. The biweekly pay period typically runs from Sunday through Saturday, covering a 14-day span, with payment issued on the Friday following the end of the pay period.

Do police follow the federal pay schedule?

Only federal law enforcement officers follow the federal General Schedule (GS) pay system and its associated pay calendar. This includes agents and officers employed by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, CBP (Customs and Border Protection), Secret Service, and U.S. Marshals Service. These officers are paid on the same biweekly cycle as all federal employees, with pay periods and dates set by the Office of Personnel Management. State police, county deputies, and municipal police officers do not follow the federal pay schedule. Instead, their pay dates and frequencies are determined by their respective state, county, or city government payroll systems, which operate independently.

How does overtime work for law enforcement?

Overtime for law enforcement officers is governed by Section 207(k) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which provides a special exemption for police and fire personnel. Under this provision, employers can establish a work period of 7 to 28 days instead of the standard 7-day workweek. For a 28-day work period, overtime is required only after 171 hours, rather than the standard 40-hours-per-week threshold. This means officers on a 28-day cycle can work more hours before triggering overtime pay. When overtime does apply, it is paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate. Additionally, many departments pay overtime for court appearances, special details, and off-duty security assignments, which are often processed in the same pay cycle.

Do police officers get holiday pay?

Yes, most police departments offer premium pay for officers who work on designated holidays. Because law enforcement agencies operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, officers are frequently required to work on holidays. Holiday premium pay is typically time-and-a-half (1.5 times the base rate), though some departments and union contracts provide double-time (2 times the base rate) for major holidays such as Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. Officers who are not scheduled to work on a holiday usually receive a compensatory day off or holiday pay at their regular rate. The exact holidays that qualify and the premium rate are defined by the department's collective bargaining agreement or municipal employment policy.

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