Police Officer Hourly Pay in McDonough, GA: $27.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in McDonough, GA runs $27.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,836 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against McDonough's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,701 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In McDonough, Georgia, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $27.81 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. For officers who may opt for part-time work, this pay translates to about $1,670 in gross income per month, assuming a three-day workweek consisting of 24 hours. In typical police work settings, whether it’s cruising in patrol vehicles, conducting interviews in specialized operations, or testifying in court, the variation between entry-level ($18.83) and top earners ($41.05) reflects the experience and responsibilities that come with the job. Given the salary range from $39,167 for entry-level positions to $85,386 for the highest earners, prospective officers in McDonough can better understand what to expect and how experience can influence their earnings.
About the McDonough Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.83 | $150.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.46 | $179.65 |
| Median (P50) | $27.81 | $222.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.42 | $275.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.05 | $328.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McDonough
Based on $27.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.81/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McDonough, GA can expect to earn approximately $57,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,367. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McDonough.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McDonough
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,112.22 | $4,820 | $57,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $667.33 | $2,892 | $34,701 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.89 | $1,928 | $23,134 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (McDonough) | $27.81 |
| 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 McDonough, GA earn a median of $57,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.36% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.60% below the Georgia state average of $59,996.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.81/hr = $34,701/year (purchasing power: $37,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,836/year (purchasing power: $62,122).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in McDonough (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in McDonough grew 20.7% from $22.36/hr (2019) to $26.98/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.66/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 McDonough 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 McDonough
Part-time officers earning at this rate who work three days a week will take home considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, who typically earn consistent pay while absorbing mandatory overtime that can significantly enhance overall income. Many departments offer overtime pay at 1.5 times the base rate for special assignments, which can lead to a substantial increase—20-50% more than regular hours. Additionally, off-duty or extra-duty roles may yield per diem police officer pay in McDonough ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, often in cash, providing flexibility in earnings. The hourly rates can differ based on employment type; municipal departments might offer less than county sheriff's offices or state patrols, while federal agencies pay more but may require a different career path. Officers often negotiate hourly pay with consideration for benefits like health insurance, which can affect their total compensation package—a critical aspect of career choices in law enforcement.
More salary data for McDonough, 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 McDonough. 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 McDonough 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