Police Officer Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $23.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Ruston, LA runs $23.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,403 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,042 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $23.27, which substantially lags behind the national median of $37.76 per hour. This pay reflects the realities of police work in local contexts such as routine patrols, booking at police stations, or court testimonies during criminal trials. For part-time officers working approximately three days a week, this hourly wage can translate directly into earnings that may not be sufficient for sustaining a household on its own. The hourly wage range in 2026 is projected to run from $15.45 for entry-level positions up to $33.25 for the highest earners in the profession. The disparity in hourly pay not only affects full-time officers but significantly impacts part-time and per-diem police officer pay in Ruston, who often supplement their income through various assignments in specialized areas.
About the Ruston 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) | $15.45 | $123.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.50 | $147.99 |
| Median (P50) | $23.27 | $186.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.11 | $232.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.25 | $265.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $23.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.27/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA 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 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| 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 (Ruston) | $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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $48,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.37% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $50,315.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.27/hr = $29,042/year (purchasing power: $32,162).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,404/year (purchasing power: $53,603).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.71/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 Ruston grew 20.7% from $18.71/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
For an officer working part-time, earning $23.27 per hour for 24 hours a week results in a take-home amount that can be drastically different from full-time earnings, which can include additional benefits and overtime pay. In many cases, full-time officers receive overtime compensation for court appearances or special assignments, potentially raising their income by 20-50%. Part-time and per-diem opportunities can also add income—many officers have the potential to earn cash rates of $35 to $75 per hour on off-duty jobs such as event security or construction site oversight. It’s essential to consider the differences in hourly rates based on the type of employer as well; municipal police departments may offer lower hourly rates compared to federal roles or private security positions. When negotiating pay, understanding the benefits of health insurance versus slightly higher hourly rates without additional compensation is also crucial for officers in Ruston.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 Ruston. 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 Ruston 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