Police Officer Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $30.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Birmingham, AL runs $30.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,444 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,467 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $30.02, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This disparity highlights the financial challenges faced by local law enforcement professionals, particularly for those considering part-time or per-diem positions. For a typical police officer working three days a week, the hourly pay can translate into meaningful income while managing other commitments, as assignments can vary from patrolling assigned beats to conducting court testimonies. The pay range for officers in Birmingham spans from $21.08 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to as high as $38.27 for the top earners (90th percentile), providing various earning potentials depending on experience, specialization, and departmental responsibilities. This information derives from the BLS 2025 OEWS data, projected into 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.08 | $168.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.41 | $195.32 |
| Median (P50) | $30.02 | $240.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.80 | $294.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.27 | $306.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $30.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.02/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $62,444 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,026. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.86 | $5,204 | $62,444 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.51 | $3,122 | $37,467 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.34 | $2,081 | $24,978 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Birmingham) | $30.02 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $62,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.50% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.50% above the Alabama state average of $59,755.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.02/hr = $37,467/year (purchasing power: $40,883).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,444/year (purchasing power: $68,138).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Birmingham grew 16.4% from $25.03/hr (2019) to $29.13/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Birmingham
Part-time officers working 24 hours a week can expect a significantly different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, part-time schedules may yield lower overall earnings but can still be financially beneficial due to various opportunities for overtime, which is often paid at a rate of 1.5 times the standard pay for special details and court appearances. Off-duty assignments can provide even greater variations in pay, typically ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the nature of the work. Additionally, hourly rates can fluctuate based on employer types in Birmingham, with municipal police departments generally offering lower compensation compared to federal law enforcement agencies. Many choose roles in municipal departments to access health insurance and pension plans, accepting lower hourly rates for greater long-term benefits. When negotiating pay, it's prudent for officers to consider both immediate earnings and comprehensive benefits, leveraging their specialties and maximizing their potential earnings through additional responsibilities or off-duty work.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Birmingham in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Birmingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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