Police Officer Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $24.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Lafayette, LA runs $24.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,427 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,856 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $24.72, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This pay level is essential for individuals considering part-time work, as those operating on a 3-day work week would earn approximately $1,185 weekly. With entry-level positions starting at around $18.20 per hour, the range for police officer hourly pay in Lafayette can reach up to $30.89 for top earners, illustrating the potential for career advancement in this field. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data indicates further context for job roles, as police work typically involves shifts in various environments, such as patrol vehicles, booking rooms at police stations, and courtrooms during testimonies.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.20 | $145.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.43 | $179.41 |
| Median (P50) | $24.72 | $197.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.80 | $238.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.89 | $247.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $24.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.72/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $51,426 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,669. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $988.96 | $4,286 | $51,426 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $593.38 | $2,571 | $30,856 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.59 | $1,714 | $20,570 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Lafayette) | $24.72 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA earn a median of $51,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.52% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.20% above the Louisiana state average of $50,320.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.72/hr = $30,856/year (purchasing power: $35,381).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,426/year (purchasing power: $58,969).
CoL index: 87.209 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Lafayette grew 24.0% from $19.35/hr (2019) to $23.99/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.48/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
An analysis of the per diem police officer pay in Lafayette reveals varying income potentials based on hours worked and type of employment. A part-time officer working 24 hours a week would see annual earnings notably lower than their full-time counterparts, significantly impacting long-term financial security and retirement benefits. In addition, police officers often experience paid overtime for court appearances and special duties, which can increase income by 20-50%. The dynamics of hourly rates differ across employers, with municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement agencies each offering unique packages. Furthermore, some officers may choose lower hourly rates for the assurance of health benefits, while others prioritize higher hourly compensation without benefits. Officers negotiating in Lafayette should assess overall compensation, including health insurance and overtime opportunities, when considering job offers.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Lafayette 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 Lafayette. 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