Police Officer Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $30.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Atlanta, GA runs $30.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,774 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,672 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, police officers can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $30.19, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This pay level provides interesting considerations for those pursuing part-time opportunities or per diem roles within the profession. Working part-time, for instance three days a week, would yield significant earnings while allowing for flexibility, as shifts in patrol vehicles, booking rooms, or specialized unit operations frequently require dedicated coverage. The hourly pay range for officers in Atlanta spans from $24.13 at the entry-level, up to $39.29 for top earners. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reflect the local demand and challenges faced by officers in their daily responsibilities.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.13 | $193.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.28 | $218.24 |
| Median (P50) | $30.19 | $241.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.08 | $280.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.29 | $314.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $30.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.19/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $62,787 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,224. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,207.45 | $5,232 | $62,787 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $724.47 | $3,139 | $37,672 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.98 | $2,093 | $25,115 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Atlanta) | $30.19 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA earn a median of $62,774 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.08% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.60% above the Georgia state average of $60,013.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.19/hr = $37,672/year (purchasing power: $37,651).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,787/year (purchasing power: $62,751).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Atlanta grew 27.3% from $23.00/hr (2019) to $29.29/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.11/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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta
Analyzing the part-time earning potential sheds light on the financial dynamics of this profession. For a police officer working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can reflect a substantial amount, albeit significantly less than a full-time role. The structure of police work typically includes mandatory overtime, where officers can earn up to 1.5 times their base pay for court appearances or extended shifts. This often leads to a net increase of 20-50% in actual earnings. Additionally, off-duty assignments—common in the realm of public safety—can range from $35 to $75 per hour in cash or through departmental programs. The variety of employers in Atlanta, including municipal departments, county sheriff’s offices, and federal entities, can impact hourly wages. While some may choose positions in municipal departments for the health benefits attached to regular jobs, others might pursue higher hourly pay in federal roles or private security. For those negotiating wages, understanding the full compensation package—including benefits versus higher pay rates without them—can be a critical strategy.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 Atlanta. 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