Police Officer Salary

Atlanta vs Stockbridge: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$62,774
$30.19/hr
Stockbridge, GA
$59,364
$28.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAStockbridge, GA
Median Salary$62,774$59,364
Hourly Rate$30.19$28.54
Entry Level (P10)$50,190$37,624
25th Percentile$56,745$48,533
75th Percentile$72,966$73,959
Top Earner (P90)$81,706$85,052
Total Employed11,3106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($62,774) and Stockbridge ($59,364) police officer salaries.AtlantaStockbridgeMedian Salary$62,774$59,364Entry Level (P10)$50,190$37,624Top Earner (P90)$81,706$85,052US Median $78,542

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Stockbridge.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Stockbridge is $3,410 (5.74%). 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,Stockbridge spans $47,428. Stockbridge 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
Stockbridge
P10 (Entry)$37,624
P25$48,533
Median$59,364
P75$73,959
P90 (Top)$85,052

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stockbridge ($63,764 effective) pays 1.64% more than Atlanta ($62,738 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $62,774
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $62,738
Stockbridge
Nominal: $59,364
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $63,764

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)
  • Larger job market (11,310 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Stockbridge if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,052)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,764)
  • 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 Stockbridge over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+27.3%

$47,830 (2019) → $60,910 (2025)

Stockbridge, GA

+13.7%

$50,656 (2024) → $57,601 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Atlanta or Stockbridge?

Atlanta has a higher median police officer salary at $62,774/year, compared to Stockbridge at $59,364/year — a difference of $3,410 (5.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Stockbridge?

Atlanta police officers earn $30.19/hr while Stockbridge hygienists earn $28.54/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Stockbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $62,738, Stockbridge = $63,764), job availability (11,310 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $50,190 in Atlanta and $37,624 in Stockbridge. 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