Police Officer Salary

Horn Lake vs Jackson: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Horn Lake, MS and Jackson, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Horn Lake, MS
$65,942
$31.70/hr
Jackson, MS
$50,664
$24.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHorn Lake, MSJackson, MS
Median Salary$65,942$50,664
Hourly Rate$31.70$24.36
Entry Level (P10)$40,923$36,019
25th Percentile$50,576$41,750
75th Percentile$81,431$58,827
Top Earner (P90)$99,441$65,721
Total Employed61,620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Horn Lake ($65,942) and Jackson ($50,664) police officer salaries.Horn LakeJacksonMedian Salary$65,942$50,664Entry Level (P10)$40,923$36,019Top Earner (P90)$99,441$65,721US Median $78,542

Verdict

Horn Lake, MS offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jackson.

The salary gap between Horn Lake and Jackson is $15,278 (30.16%). Horn Lake's median is -16.04% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Horn Lake spans $58,518,Jackson spans $29,702. Horn Lake has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Horn Lake
P10 (Entry)$40,923
P25$50,576
Median$65,942
P75$81,431
P90 (Top)$99,441
Jackson
P10 (Entry)$36,019
P25$41,750
Median$50,664
P75$58,827
P90 (Top)$65,721

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Horn Lake ($76,945 effective) pays 35.24% more than Jackson ($56,895 effective).

Horn Lake
Nominal: $65,942
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $76,945
Jackson
Nominal: $50,664
CoL Index: 89.048
Adjusted: $56,895

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Horn Lake if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,942/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,441)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,945)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Jackson if…

  • Larger job market (1,620 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Horn Lake grew 81.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.1% growth in Jackson over the same period.

Horn Lake, MS

+81.5%

$35,262 (2024) → $63,984 (2025)

Jackson, MS

+34.1%

$36,660 (2019) → $49,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Horn Lake or Jackson?

Horn Lake has a higher median police officer salary at $65,942/year, compared to Jackson at $50,664/year — a difference of $15,278 (30.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Horn Lake and Jackson?

Horn Lake police officers earn $31.70/hr while Jackson hygienists earn $24.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Horn Lake to Jackson as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Horn Lake and Jackson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Horn Lake = $76,945, Jackson = $56,895), job availability (6 vs 1,620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Horn Lake vs Jackson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $40,923 in Horn Lake and $36,019 in Jackson. The Horn Lake 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