Commonly asked overtime pay law questions about police officers:
- Can a Police Officer Receive Overtime Pay?
- What is the Salary Range for a Police Officer?
- How Many Police Officers Are Nationally Employed?
- Where Are Most Police Officers Employed?
- Police Officer Overtime Pay Lawsuit News
- What are the Laws for Police Officer Overtime Pay?
- Is a Police Officer Entitled to Overtime Pay?
- Can a Police Officer File a Class Action Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit?
- What Cities and States Have Denied Overtime Wages to Police Officers?
- Police Officer Overtime Pay Lawyer Review
Can a Police Officer Receive Overtime Pay?
Police are employees who are empowered by the state or local ordinance to enforce laws designed to protect and serve the public. Police can engage in nonexempt work but this determination depends on a number of factors.
The FLSA allows the employer to set a work period that may impact when the police officer is entitled to overtime pay, and some states may have their own overtime pay laws that may be slightly different from the FLSA with respect to overtime pay for police.
An experienced overtime pay attorney can determine whether you are entitled to overtime wages based upon your job description, job duties, rate of pay, and number of hours worked.
What is the Salary Range for a Police Officer?
Depending on the work setting and state where police officers are employed, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted that in 2016, police officers made between $34,230 to $98,510, with the average annual salary being approximately $62,760.
How Many Police Officers Are Nationally Employed?
According to the United States Department of Labor, employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation is as follows:
| Employment | Employment RSE* | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage | Wage RSE |
| 657,690 | 0.6% | $30.17 | $62,760 | 0.9% |
*RSE: The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
According to the United States Department of Labor, the percentile wage estimates for a police officer is as follows:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $16.46 | $21.15 | $28.69 | $37.57 | $47.36 |
Where Are Most Police Officers Employed?
According to the United States Department of Labor, states with the highest employment level in this occupation are as follows:
| State | Employment | Employment Per Thousand Jobs | Location Quotient | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
| California | 70,790 | 4.43 | 0.95 | $46.47 | $96,660 |
| Texas | 62,580 | 5.33 | 1.14 | $29.02 | $60,350 |
| New York | 47,870 | 5.26 | 1.12 | $34.13 | $70,990 |
| Florida | 39,020 | 4.75 | 1.01 | $27.48 | $57,160 |
| Illinois | 32,780 | 5.55 | 1.19 | $34.06 | $70,850 |
Police Officer Overtime Pay Lawsuit News
Related Police Officer Overtime Pay Lawsuit News
Arkansas Police Officers File Suit Against Department to Recover Unpaid Overtime
A group of former police officer with the Holly Springs, Arkansas Police Department recently filed an unpaid overtime lawsuit against the agency alleging that they were underpaid during their time on the force.
City of Richmond Agrees to Pay $51,000 to Settle Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
The City of Richmond, Virginia recently agreed to settle a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit brought by police officers working as the security detail for the city’s mayor.
Dozens of Camden City New Jersey Police Officers File Class Action Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Dozens of former Camden City, New Jersey-police officers recently filed a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit against the city over claims that they are owed back pay dating back to before 2013, before the police force was disbanded.
California Police Officers File Class Action Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit Against City
Dozens of current and former Redondo Beach, California police officers recently filed a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit against the city over claims that the defendant failed to properly compensate the plaintiffs for all their time spent on the job.
Police Officers File Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit Over Former Mayor’s Security Detail
RICHMOND — Four former members of ex-Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ security detail recently filed an unpaid overtime lawsuit against the city’s police department over allegations the office’s leaders halted all overtime payments over the perception of “wasteful government spending” but still required department officers to work overtime.
Read All Police Officer News on Overtime Pay Cases and Settlements
What are the Laws for Police Officer Overtime Pay?
Under the Fair Labor Standard Overtime Laws (FLSA), employers must pay its nonexempt police overtime pay. Under this law, employers can set a work period that may impact when the police officer is entitled to these benefits. Additionally, some states may have their own overtime pay laws that may be slightly different from the FLSA with respect to overtime pay for police.
As a result, it is extremely important to consult with an experienced attorney who understands these laws and can explain to you your legal rights. Our police overtime pay attorneys can help determine whether you are entitled to overtime wages based upon your job description, job duties, rate of pay, and number of hours worked.
Is a Police Officer Entitled to Overtime Pay?
If a police officer is nonexempt under the FLSA, then they are entitled to overtime pay. This means that employers must pay these workers one and one half times their regular pay for each hour worked past 40 a week.
However, the employer is allowed to set a work period that may impact when police officers are entitled to overtime pay. Laws concerning overtime pay vary from state to state, as well.
To determine if your particular case falls under the FLSA, it is best to consult an experienced attorney.
Can a Police Officer File a Class Action Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit?
Yes, a police officer can file a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit. In fact, there have been numerous FLSA class action lawsuits filed to ensure police officers are paid what they are owed.
These claims are filed by the entire group and provide each employee with more strength in numbers to fight against a high-paid legal team. An employee can also join an existing class action lawsuit if it has already been filed for unpaid overtime pay.
However, one should know that depending on your situation, a class action lawsuit can be detrimental and filing an individual claim may be more beneficial. If you have been wrongfully denied overtime benefits and you do not know if you should file your own individual claim or join a police officer class action unpaid overtime lawsuit, call our law firm today. We will discuss your case with you and determine what is your best option.
What Cities and States Have Denied Overtime Wages to Police Officers?
Our overtime pay lawyers frequently represent police officers in overtime pay lawsuits. There are cases across the country of police officers taking legal action to receive due wages. Some cities and states involved in these lawsuits include:
To determine whether you are eligible for filing a wage claim, contact our experienced Police Officer Overtime Pay Lawyers at (855) 754-2795 for a Free Consultation to discuss your case or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review Form on this page. We will discuss your situation and determine if you have a claim. If you are owed unpaid wages, we will represent you under our No Fee Promise, which means there are never any legal fees or costs unless you receive a settlement.
Police Officer Overtime Pay Lawyer Review
