Police Officer Hourly Pay in Starkville, MS: $31.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Starkville, MS runs $31.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,455 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Starkville's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,267 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Starkville, Mississippi, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $31.46, which falls significantly below the national median of $37.76. This difference highlights the economic realities faced by officers in smaller jurisdictions compared to their peers in larger metropolitan areas. For those considering part-time positions, a police officer working three days a week could earn around $24,000 annually, working in various roles including patrol, booking, and even court testimony. Entry-level officers might start at $19.14 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $45.06 per hour in specialized assignments. The hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, illustrating the potential income in various settings of law enforcement like community patrols or special operations.
About the Starkville 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) | $19.14 | $153.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.77 | $206.12 |
| Median (P50) | $31.46 | $251.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.27 | $314.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.06 | $360.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Starkville
Based on $31.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.46/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Starkville, MS can expect to earn approximately $65,446 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,757. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Starkville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Starkville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.57 | $5,454 | $65,446 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.14 | $3,272 | $39,267 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.43 | $2,182 | $26,178 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Starkville) | $31.46 |
| 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 Starkville, MS earn a median of $65,455 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $67,341.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.46/hr = $39,267/year (purchasing power: $45,820).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,446/year (purchasing power: $76,366).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Starkville grew 20.7% from $25.30/hr (2019) to $30.53/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.43/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 Starkville 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 Starkville
For part-time officers and per-diem arrangements, the financial landscape can vary widely. A three-day work week results in substantially lower earnings compared to full-time officers, but the allure of flexible hours can be appealing. Many officers engage in overtime opportunities that can significantly enhance their overall compensation, sometimes receiving 1.5 times their base hourly rate for court appearances, special operations, or emergency call-outs. In Starkville, police work is predominantly found in municipal departments, but officers may also find varied hourly pay across county sheriff's offices or state police, with the possibility of shifting to federal roles later in their careers, which typically pay more. While some officers may opt for higher hourly rates in private security without benefits, others may choose municipal positions for the insurance and retirement benefits they provide, necessitating a careful evaluation of each officer’s personal and professional priorities. Negotiating pay can be bolstered by understanding these dynamics and the local job market’s unique context.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 Starkville. 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 Starkville 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