Police Officer Hourly Pay in Gulfport, MS: $23.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Gulfport, MS runs $23.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Gulfport's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.0, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,711 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gulfport, Mississippi, police officers see a median hourly pay of $23.81, which falls significantly short of the national median hourly wage of $37.76. This difference highlights the financial landscape for law enforcement in the city, particularly for those working part-time or per-diem shifts. For officers on a 3-day-per-week schedule, often patrolling the streets, handling reports in booking rooms, or attending court sessions, the hourly rate offers a modest income. Entry-level officers typically earn around $18.37 per hour, while more experienced personnel can reach up to $28.98 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reflects the economic environment in Gulfport and indicates the pressure on local law enforcement budgets compared to national averages.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.37 | $146.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.24 | $177.92 |
| Median (P50) | $23.81 | $190.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.77 | $222.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.98 | $231.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gulfport
Based on $23.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.81/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gulfport, MS can expect to earn approximately $49,518 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,568. With a cost-of-living index of 90.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gulfport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gulfport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $952.27 | $4,127 | $49,518 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $571.36 | $2,476 | $29,711 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.91 | $1,651 | $19,807 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Gulfport) | $23.81 |
| 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 Gulfport, MS earn a median of $49,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.95% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 26.40% below the Mississippi state average of $67,283.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.81/hr = $29,711/year (purchasing power: $33,010).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,518/year (purchasing power: $55,017).
CoL index: 90.006 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Gulfport grew 19.0% from $19.41/hr (2019) to $23.10/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.54/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 Gulfport 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 Gulfport
Exploring the earnings potential for part-time and per-diem police officers reveals a stark contrast in financial outcomes. A police officer working three days a week (24 hours) would earn approximately $28,670 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Many officers supplement their income through overtime, as court appearances and special assignments typically command time-and-a-half pay, boosting their earnings by 20-50%. Additionally, off-duty jobs such as security details can pay between $35-$75 per hour, providing further financial opportunity. Hourly rates also differ based on employer type; for instance, city departments may offer lower rates with benefits, while federal roles could provide higher pay without additional health insurance. Officers frequently navigate these trade-offs based on personal circumstances and long-term career goals, especially as they negotiate their positions in a competitive job market in Gulfport, MS.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
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 Gulfport. 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