Police Officer Hourly Pay in Houma, LA: $21.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Houma, LA runs $21.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,676 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Houma's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.1, 15% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,409 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houma, Louisiana, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $21.96, significantly lower than the national average of $37.76 per hour. This discrepancy highlights the economic realities faced by officers working in a smaller city setting. For those considering part-time work, such as three-day work weeks, the potential pay translates to approximately $1,054 weekly before deductions, allowing some flexibility while still ensuring a decent income. Entry-level positions may start at about $17.99 per hour, while experienced officers or those in specialized roles can earn up to $30.05 per hour. These figures, gathered from the BLS, reflect the various functions of policing in Houma, from proactive patrols to investigative work, and the potential for rotating shifts in various environments, including booking rooms, court testimonies, and special operations.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.99 | $143.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.14 | $153.11 |
| Median (P50) | $21.96 | $175.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.75 | $189.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.05 | $240.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houma
Based on $21.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.96/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houma, LA can expect to earn approximately $45,681 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,355. With a cost-of-living index of 85.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $878.48 | $3,807 | $45,681 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.09 | $2,284 | $27,409 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $351.39 | $1,523 | $18,272 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Houma) | $21.96 |
| 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 Houma, LA earn a median of $45,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.85% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 9.30% below the Louisiana state average of $50,360.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.96/hr = $27,409/year (purchasing power: $32,206).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,681/year (purchasing power: $53,677).
CoL index: 85.103 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Houma grew 15.4% from $18.46/hr (2019) to $21.31/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.63/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 Houma 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 Houma
Analyzing the salary structure for police officers in the area reveals interesting dynamics for both part-time and full-time workers. For those on a part-time schedule, taking home earnings during a 24-hour work week results in salaries lower than full-time counterparts, who benefit from overtime opportunities that can account for a substantial portion of their income. Overtime pay often adds 20-50% to base pay due to court appearances or extra-duty assignments, creating a compelling case for officers to engage in such work. It's also noteworthy that the type of employer in Houma can influence hourly wages significantly—municipal departments generally offer lower pay compared to federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI or DEA, which provide more lucrative compensation and benefits. Potential applicants should also consider that in exchange for lower hourly rates, some officers may prioritize health insurance and retirement benefits. Therefore, when negotiating hourly pay, understanding the overall compensation package—both in terms of pay and benefits—is crucial for making informed decisions in their careers.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
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 Houma. 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