Police Officer Hourly Pay in Laurel, MS: $29.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Laurel, MS runs $29.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,252 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Laurel's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,351 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Mississippi, the projected hourly pay for police officers in 2026 stands at $29.93, notably lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour. For part-time officers working three days a week, this translates to a potential income of approximately $23,000 annually, especially in roles such as patrolling designated urban areas, writing reports in police stations, or providing courtroom testimony. Entry-level positions might start at around $20.42 per hour, while experienced officers reach the upper end of the hourly range at $42.26. Positions in this profession often require varied schedules, and per-diem work could supplement income through specialized task assignments where the nature of police work can shift from routine patrols to discretionary operations such as event security or emergency response.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.42 | $163.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.20 | $193.59 |
| Median (P50) | $29.93 | $239.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.24 | $297.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.26 | $338.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laurel
Based on $29.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.93/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laurel, MS can expect to earn approximately $62,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,914. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Laurel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laurel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,197.14 | $5,188 | $62,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.29 | $3,113 | $37,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.86 | $2,075 | $24,901 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Laurel) | $29.93 |
| 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 Laurel, MS earn a median of $62,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $67,300.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.93/hr = $37,351/year (purchasing power: $43,583).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,252/year (purchasing power: $72,639).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Laurel grew 20.7% from $24.06/hr (2019) to $29.04/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.84/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 Laurel 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 Laurel
A part-time police officer working 24 hours a week in Laurel can expect a significantly lower annual take-home compared to those working full-time due to the limited hours available, just over $23,000 a year. Moreover, the realities of per-diem or agency work reveal that police officers can earn higher hourly wages for off-duty assignments or overtime during special events, with some positions earning between $35 and $75 per hour. The variation in hourly rates across employers primarily hinges on type; municipal departments may offer stability and benefits, while private security firms may present higher wages but lack advantages like health insurance. Officers must weigh these benefits carefully, as health coverage often becomes a crucial factor in settling for a lower hourly rate. For those negotiating hourly pay in Laurel, emphasizing prior experience and exploring opportunities for overtime or special duty assignments can lead to improved compensation.
More salary data for Laurel, 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 Laurel. 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 Laurel 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