Police Officer Salary

Atlanta vs Griffin: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Atlanta, GA and Griffin, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$62,774
$30.19/hr
Griffin, GA
$55,817
$26.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAGriffin, GA
Median Salary$62,774$55,817
Hourly Rate$30.19$26.84
Entry Level (P10)$50,190$36,885
25th Percentile$56,745$44,261
75th Percentile$72,966$69,818
Top Earner (P90)$81,706$79,428
Total Employed11,3105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($62,774) and Griffin ($55,817) police officer salaries.AtlantaGriffinMedian Salary$62,774$55,817Entry Level (P10)$50,190$36,885Top Earner (P90)$81,706$79,428US Median $78,542

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Griffin.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Griffin is $6,957 (12.46%). Atlanta's median is -20.08% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $31,516,Griffin spans $42,543. Griffin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$50,190
P25$56,745
Median$62,774
P75$72,966
P90 (Top)$81,706
Griffin
P10 (Entry)$36,885
P25$44,261
Median$55,817
P75$69,818
P90 (Top)$79,428

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($62,738 effective) pays 4.64% more than Griffin ($59,954 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $62,774
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $62,738
Griffin
Nominal: $55,817
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $59,954

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,774/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,706)
  • Larger job market (11,310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,738)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Griffin if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Atlanta grew 27.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Griffin over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+27.3%

$47,830 (2019) → $60,910 (2025)

Griffin, GA

+13.7%

$47,630 (2024) → $54,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Atlanta or Griffin?

Atlanta has a higher median police officer salary at $62,774/year, compared to Griffin at $55,817/year — a difference of $6,957 (12.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Griffin?

Atlanta police officers earn $30.19/hr while Griffin hygienists earn $26.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Griffin as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Griffin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $62,738, Griffin = $59,954), job availability (11,310 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Atlanta vs Griffin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,190 in Atlanta and $36,885 in Griffin. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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