Police Officer Hourly Pay in Pelham, AL: $26.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Pelham, AL runs $26.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,269 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Pelham's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,158 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for police officers in Pelham, Alabama, is projected to be $26.57, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour. This rate has implications for officers working part-time, perhaps on a three-day work week, where they might earn $26.57 multiplied by their hours, making it essential to consider this for budgeting and lifestyle choices. The hourly rates for police work in Pelham range from $18.13 for entry-level positions to as high as $37.52 for top-tier earners. These figures are estimated based on annual salary data, reflecting the roles officers can find themselves in—whether patrolling assigned beats, conducting report writing at the station, or engaging in investigations with specialized units.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.13 | $145.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.48 | $171.82 |
| Median (P50) | $26.57 | $212.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.06 | $264.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.52 | $300.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pelham
Based on $26.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.57/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pelham, AL can expect to earn approximately $55,263 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,883. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pelham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pelham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,062.75 | $4,605 | $55,263 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $637.65 | $2,763 | $33,158 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.10 | $1,842 | $22,105 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Pelham) | $26.57 |
| 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 Pelham, AL earn a median of $55,269 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.63% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $59,750.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.57/hr = $33,158/year (purchasing power: $37,722).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,263/year (purchasing power: $62,871).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Pelham grew 20.7% from $21.36/hr (2019) to $25.78/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.38/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 Pelham 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 Pelham
For part-time officers working approximately 24 hours a week, their annual earnings differ significantly from full-time colleagues. When considering per diem work, many officers supplement their income through additional duties, such as court appearances or security at events, which typically pay extra. Overtime opportunities can add 20% to 50% to their base earnings, especially if working beyond scheduled hours or in special circumstances. Hourly pay can also fluctuate depending on the employer; municipal departments may offer lower pay compared to federal agencies or private corporate security positions. Hence, understanding benefits versus hourly rates is crucial; some may opt for slightly lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive health coverage, while others prefer higher pay without those benefits. For those in Pelham negotiating their hourly pay, emphasizing experience, specialty training from POST academy, or relevant certifications can be advantageous when discussing compensation packages.
More salary data for Pelham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Pelham in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Pelham?
Are police officers in Pelham paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Pelham?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Pelham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 Pelham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pelham is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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