Police Officer Salary

Daphne vs Montgomery: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Daphne, AL and Montgomery, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Daphne, AL
$60,661
$29.17/hr
Montgomery, AL
$49,974
$24.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDaphne, ALMontgomery, AL
Median Salary$60,661$49,974
Hourly Rate$29.17$24.02
Entry Level (P10)$46,243$38,678
25th Percentile$51,004$45,192
75th Percentile$67,731$61,888
Top Earner (P90)$80,789$72,874
Total Employed5601,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Daphne ($60,661) and Montgomery ($49,974) police officer salaries.DaphneMontgomeryMedian Salary$60,661$49,974Entry Level (P10)$46,243$38,678Top Earner (P90)$80,789$72,874US Median $78,542

Verdict

Daphne, AL offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Montgomery.

The salary gap between Daphne and Montgomery is $10,687 (21.39%). Daphne's median is -22.77% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Daphne spans $34,546,Montgomery spans $34,196. Daphne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Daphne
P10 (Entry)$46,243
P25$51,004
Median$60,661
P75$67,731
P90 (Top)$80,789
Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$38,678
P25$45,192
Median$49,974
P75$61,888
P90 (Top)$72,874

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Daphne ($64,063 effective) pays 14.97% more than Montgomery ($55,724 effective).

Daphne
Nominal: $60,661
CoL Index: 94.69
Adjusted: $64,063
Montgomery
Nominal: $49,974
CoL Index: 89.682
Adjusted: $55,724

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Daphne if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,661/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,789)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,063)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Montgomery if…

  • Larger job market (1,060 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Daphne grew 19.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.5% growth in Montgomery over the same period.

Daphne, AL

+19.1%

$49,400 (2019) → $58,860 (2025)

Montgomery, AL

+1.5%

$47,790 (2019) → $48,490 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Daphne or Montgomery?

Daphne has a higher median police officer salary at $60,661/year, compared to Montgomery at $49,974/year — a difference of $10,687 (21.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Daphne and Montgomery?

Daphne police officers earn $29.17/hr while Montgomery hygienists earn $24.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Daphne to Montgomery as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Daphne and Montgomery. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Daphne = $64,063, Montgomery = $55,724), job availability (560 vs 1,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Daphne vs Montgomery?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $46,243 in Daphne and $38,678 in Montgomery. The Daphne area offers higher starting salaries.
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