Police Officer Hourly Pay in Alexandria, LA: $21.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Alexandria, LA runs $21.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,326 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Alexandria's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,203 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Alexandria, Louisiana, the projected median police officer hourly pay stands at $21.80, significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This substantial difference underscores the financial realities faced by those in law enforcement within the city. For officers working part-time, say three days a week, the compensation comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities, especially when considering shifts spent in patrol cars, police stations, or even courtrooms. The hourly range in Alexandria runs from $15.86 at the entry-level to $28.78 for those at the top earners' tier, showcasing a lucrative potential for experienced officers but reflecting the tight budgets often seen in municipal law enforcement. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, helps illustrate the financial landscape within which local officers operate.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.86 | $126.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.03 | $144.20 |
| Median (P50) | $21.80 | $174.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.19 | $185.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.78 | $230.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alexandria
Based on $21.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.80/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alexandria, LA can expect to earn approximately $45,338 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,157. With a cost-of-living index of 85.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Alexandria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alexandria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $871.89 | $3,778 | $45,338 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $523.13 | $2,267 | $27,203 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $348.76 | $1,511 | $18,135 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Alexandria) | $21.80 |
| 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 Alexandria, LA earn a median of $45,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.29% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 10.00% below the Louisiana state average of $50,362.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.80/hr = $27,203/year (purchasing power: $31,747).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,338/year (purchasing power: $52,912).
CoL index: 85.686 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Alexandria grew 16.2% from $18.20/hr (2019) to $21.15/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.46/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 Alexandria 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 Alexandria
When evaluating the earning potential for police officers working in a per diem capacity in Alexandria, there are several factors to consider. A part-time officer working 24 hours per week would bring in significantly lower annual compensation compared to full-time officers, who may also benefit from overtime pay averaging 1.5 times the base hourly rate for special assignments and court appearances. In this field, off-duty work can yield additional opportunities, with rates reaching $35 to $75 per hour for event security and other assignments, which can deeply impact overall take-home pay. Moreover, differing employer types—such as municipal departments versus federal agencies—lead to varying pay scales and benefit considerations that influence job choices for many officers. While some may prefer the stability of lower hourly pay coupled with comprehensive health insurance, others might choose higher pay rates at the cost of stability. Negotiating for hours and pay rates in Alexandria requires an understanding of these dynamics to maximize earnings effectively.
More salary data for Alexandria, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Alexandria in 2026?
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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 Alexandria. 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