Police Officer Hourly Pay in Valdosta, GA: $23.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Valdosta, GA runs $23.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,397 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Valdosta's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,042 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for police officers in Valdosta, Georgia, is projected to be $23.27, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This rate reflects the challenges faced by officers in a smaller city, which often influences budgetary constraints. For those working part-time, such as officers on a 3-day workweek, this means a gross earning potential of approximately $1,114 weekly, assuming a 24-hour work schedule. Valdosta's police officers operate in various environments, from patrol vehicles to courtrooms, where they take on a range of responsibilities. The hourly pay range extends from $20.26 for entry-level positions to $31.56 for the top earners, indicating potential growth within the profession as officers gain experience or specialized positions.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.26 | $162.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.69 | $173.55 |
| Median (P50) | $23.27 | $186.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.96 | $191.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.56 | $252.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Valdosta
Based on $23.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.27/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Valdosta, GA can expect to earn approximately $48,404 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,925. With a cost-of-living index of 88.27 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Valdosta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Valdosta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $930.84 | $4,034 | $48,404 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.50 | $2,420 | $29,042 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.34 | $1,613 | $19,361 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Valdosta) | $23.27 |
| 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 Valdosta, GA earn a median of $48,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.38% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 19.30% below the Georgia state average of $59,971.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.27/hr = $29,042/year (purchasing power: $32,901).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,404/year (purchasing power: $54,835).
CoL index: 88.271 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Valdosta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Valdosta grew 26.5% from $17.85/hr (2019) to $22.58/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.98/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 Valdosta 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 Valdosta
Part-time police officers working in Valdosta can earn considerably less than their full-time counterparts if they only work three days a week. While a full-time officer’s earnings can expand significantly with overtime opportunities—such as court appearances, special assignments, or off-duty work—it is essential for part-time officers to consider the additional benefits of full-time positions. The likelihood of earning time-and-a-half for any overtime can add 20-50% to base pay, making full-time roles more financially advantageous. Police officers across different employer types in Valdosta—such as municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies—often experience variation in hourly pay. Additionally, some may choose roles in security or federal law enforcement for better hourly compensation and benefits. When negotiating pay, part-time officers should be mindful of their trade-offs, balancing hourly rates against health benefits, retirement plans, and advanced training opportunities, as these factors can have long-term financial implications.
More salary data for Valdosta, 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 Valdosta. 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