Police Officer Salary

Montgomery vs Northport: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Montgomery, AL
$49,974
$24.02/hr
Northport, AL
$58,359
$28.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMontgomery, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$49,974$58,359
Hourly Rate$24.02$28.05
Entry Level (P10)$38,678$35,963
25th Percentile$45,192$44,515
75th Percentile$61,888$73,054
Top Earner (P90)$72,874$84,184
Total Employed1,0605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Montgomery ($49,974) and Northport ($58,359) police officer salaries.MontgomeryNorthportMedian Salary$49,974$58,359Entry Level (P10)$38,678$35,963Top Earner (P90)$72,874$84,184US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Montgomery and Northport is $8,385 (16.78%). Northport's median is -25.70% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Montgomery spans $34,196,Northport spans $48,221. Northport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$38,678
P25$45,192
Median$49,974
P75$61,888
P90 (Top)$72,874
Northport
P10 (Entry)$35,963
P25$44,515
Median$58,359
P75$73,054
P90 (Top)$84,184

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Northport ($66,392 effective) pays 19.15% more than Montgomery ($55,724 effective).

Montgomery
Nominal: $49,974
CoL Index: 89.682
Adjusted: $55,724
Northport
Nominal: $58,359
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $66,392

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Montgomery if…

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

Choose Northport if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,359/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,184)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,392)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Montgomery grew 1.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.4% growth in Northport over the same period.

Montgomery, AL

+1.5%

$47,790 (2019) → $48,490 (2025)

Northport, AL

+37.4%

$41,200 (2024) → $56,626 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Montgomery or Northport?

Northport has a higher median police officer salary at $58,359/year, compared to Montgomery at $49,974/year — a difference of $8,385 (16.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Montgomery and Northport?

Montgomery police officers earn $24.02/hr while Northport hygienists earn $28.05/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Montgomery and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Montgomery = $55,724, Northport = $66,392), job availability (1,060 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $38,678 in Montgomery and $35,963 in Northport. The Montgomery 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