Police Officer Salary

Florence vs Huntsville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Florence, AL
$57,724
$27.75/hr
Huntsville, AL
$66,525
$31.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$57,724$66,525
Hourly Rate$27.75$31.99
Entry Level (P10)$37,926$46,872
25th Percentile$41,296$53,200
75th Percentile$60,795$79,109
Top Earner (P90)$80,109$79,109
Total Employed310980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($57,724) and Huntsville ($66,525) police officer salaries.FlorenceHuntsvilleMedian Salary$57,724$66,525Entry Level (P10)$37,926$46,872Top Earner (P90)$80,109$79,109US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Florence and Huntsville is $8,801 (15.25%). Huntsville's median is -15.30% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $42,183,Huntsville spans $32,237. Florence has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$37,926
P25$41,296
Median$57,724
P75$60,795
P90 (Top)$80,109
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$46,872
P25$53,200
Median$66,525
P75$79,109
P90 (Top)$79,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($71,477 effective) pays 5.02% more than Florence ($68,057 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $57,724
CoL Index: 84.817
Adjusted: $68,057
Huntsville
Nominal: $66,525
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $71,477

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($80,109)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,525/year)
  • Larger job market (980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,477)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Florence grew 45.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.1% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Florence, AL

+45.3%

$38,550 (2019) → $56,010 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+27.1%

$50,770 (2019) → $64,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Florence or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median police officer salary at $66,525/year, compared to Florence at $57,724/year — a difference of $8,801 (15.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Huntsville?

Florence police officers earn $27.75/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $31.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Huntsville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $68,057, Huntsville = $71,477), job availability (310 vs 980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Florence vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $37,926 in Florence and $46,872 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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