Police Officer Hourly Pay in Tuscaloosa, AL: $29.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Tuscaloosa, AL runs $29.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,496 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Tuscaloosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,901 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Police officers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, can expect a median hourly pay of $29.57, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This pay scale reflects the typical earnings in various policing environments, such as those patrolling the city’s streets or working in specialized units like SWAT or K-9 teams. For officers who may work part-time, such as three days a week, the hourly rate translates to earnings that can vary widely based on experience, ranging from entry-level positions earning about $19.05 to seasoned officers bringing home up to $42.42 per hour. This projected data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrates the financial environment police officers encounter across their roles in operations, court testimonies, or investigative work, where compensation is directly tied to hours worked.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.05 | $152.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.28 | $194.25 |
| Median (P50) | $29.57 | $236.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.05 | $296.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.42 | $339.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tuscaloosa
Based on $29.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.57/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tuscaloosa, AL can expect to earn approximately $61,501 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,481. With a cost-of-living index of 87.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tuscaloosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tuscaloosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,182.72 | $5,125 | $61,501 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $709.63 | $3,075 | $36,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.09 | $2,050 | $24,601 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Tuscaloosa) | $29.57 |
| 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 Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $61,496 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.70% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.90% above the Alabama state average of $59,763.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.57/hr = $36,901/year (purchasing power: $42,066).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,501/year (purchasing power: $70,109).
CoL index: 87.722 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Tuscaloosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Tuscaloosa grew 20.7% from $23.77/hr (2019) to $28.69/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.47/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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa
Part-time police officers working in Tuscaloosa who maintain a schedule of three days per week, contributing approximately 24 hours, can expect to earn a relatively stable income, though less than their full-time counterparts. Over the course of a year, this could amount to about $36,866, significantly lower than the higher, more stable earnings of those in full-time roles. Additionally, the practice of working per diem allows for varied compensation, potentially enhancing overall income; officers might find extra-duty opportunities ranging from $35 to $75 per hour for special events or subcontracted shifts. Different employers in the area, from municipal police departments to federal agencies, offer distinct pay structures; officers may trade off a higher hourly pay for increased benefits and job security with government positions. Understanding these dynamics can help police professionals navigate offers and negotiate based on their needs, the competitive local environment, and potential career progression opportunities always available within law enforcement.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Tuscaloosa. 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, 6-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