Police Officer Hourly Pay in Zachary, LA: $22.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Zachary, LA runs $22.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Zachary's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,090 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Zachary, Louisiana, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $22.51. This rate is significantly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76, indicating a notable disparity in compensation for officers in this region compared to their peers nationwide. For officers working part-time, such as those putting in 24 hours over three days a week, the lower hourly wage can impact take-home earnings. The hourly compensation for police roles can vary widely, ranging from $15.54 for entry-level positions up to $32.79 for more experienced officers or specialized roles. These figures not only reflect the local salary scale derived from annual estimates but also underscore the varying responsibilities involved, whether it's conducting roadside patrols, managing paperwork at the precinct, or participating in court proceedings.
About the Zachary 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) | $15.54 | $124.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.35 | $146.84 |
| Median (P50) | $22.51 | $180.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.30 | $218.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.79 | $262.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Zachary
Based on $22.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.51/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Zachary, LA can expect to earn approximately $46,817 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,010. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Zachary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Zachary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $900.33 | $3,901 | $46,817 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $540.20 | $2,341 | $28,090 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.13 | $1,561 | $18,727 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Zachary) | $22.51 |
| 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 Zachary, LA earn a median of $46,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.40% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $50,336.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.51/hr = $28,090/year (purchasing power: $31,108).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,817/year (purchasing power: $51,846).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Zachary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Zachary grew 20.7% from $18.10/hr (2019) to $21.84/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.20/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 Zachary 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 Zachary
Engaging in part-time opportunities can yield different earnings for officers in Zachary. A 24-hour workweek would bring in around $26,679 annually, while full-time officers generally enjoy higher yearly compensation, marked by mandatory overtime that can significantly boost earnings. Under many circumstances, officers involved in court appearances or special duty assignments can earn overtime pay that increases their hourly rate by 1.5 times. Additionally, off-duty work—like event security—often pays between $35 and $75 an hour. Different sectors, from municipal police to federal agencies, can influence hourly rates, often leading to trade-offs between salary and benefits. Many officers might accept a lower hourly pay for the sake of health insurance, while others may prefer higher hourly compensation without the same benefits. When negotiating their pay, officers in Zachary should consider articulating the value of their skills and experience to secure better rates, particularly in an environment where police officer hourly rates exhibit such regional variation.
More salary data for Zachary, 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 Zachary. 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 Zachary 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