Police Officer Hourly Pay in Central, LA: $23.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Central, LA runs $23.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,354 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Central's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,016 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Central, Louisiana, police officer hourly pay stands at a median of $23.25, notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This disparity emphasizes the local economic context and presents unique implications for those in law enforcement, especially for part-time and per-diem roles. Officers working three days a week may find their earnings significantly different compared to full-time positions. For instance, part-timers can expect to operate within a pay range that starts at approximately $15.52 and can reach up to $34.23 per hour depending on experience and specialized assignments, such as working on special units or providing security details. The reported figures reflect a range from entry-level to more seasoned officers, providing a on-the-ground perspective on the realities of police work in Central's diverse settings, including patrol vehicles, booking rooms, and investigative operations.
About the Central Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.52 | $124.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.68 | $149.48 |
| Median (P50) | $23.25 | $186.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.53 | $236.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.23 | $273.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Central
Based on $23.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.25/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Central, LA can expect to earn approximately $48,361 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,900. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Central.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Central
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $930.01 | $4,030 | $48,361 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.01 | $2,418 | $29,016 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.01 | $1,612 | $19,344 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Central) | $23.25 |
| 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 Central, LA earn a median of $48,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.44% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.90% below the Louisiana state average of $50,316.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.25/hr = $29,016/year (purchasing power: $32,133).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,361/year (purchasing power: $53,556).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Central (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Central grew 20.7% from $18.69/hr (2019) to $22.56/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.96/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 Central 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 Central
With a structured approach to pay, part-time officers working just 24 hours a week could take home around $29,520 annually, which is significantly less than full-time counterparts, reflecting the demand for consistent presence in law enforcement roles. The per diem police officer pay in Central offers additional flexibility, though it can sometimes lead to instability without the safety net of full-time employment benefits. Officers frequently encounter overtime pay—ranging from 1.5 times their base hourly rate—during court appearances or when extending their shifts for various assignments. This could potentially increase total earnings by 20-50%, which creates a nuanced standard for total compensation when compared to structured hourly salaries. Various employer types, from municipal police departments to federal agencies, alter the pay landscape further, as some may prioritize health insurance and pensions over hourly rates. Younger officers or those newly entering the force may find themselves negotiating their hourly rate in a manner that balances immediate cash compensation against long-term benefits integral to their career.
More salary data for Central, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Central in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Central?
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How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Central?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Central?
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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 Central. 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 Central 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