Police Officer Salary in Anniston, AL: $46,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Anniston, AL earns a median $46,264/year (≈ $22.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Anniston's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $53,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Anniston, Alabama are projected to earn a median annual salary of $46,264, significantly lower than the national median of $78,542, highlighting a stark local versus national pay disparity. The salary range for officers in this area spans from $38,101 at the 10th percentile to $65,041 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates that while base pay may appear modest, officers often supplement their income through overtime associated with court appearances and special detail assignments, enhancing their overall compensation. Given the economy of Anniston and the structure of police officer pay in AL, those seeking employment in law enforcement should consider how overtime can effectively drive their earnings upward.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,101 | $18.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,254 | $21.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,264 | $22.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,767 | $24.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,041 | $31.27 |
Median Salary Position
41.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anniston
In Anniston, AL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,940 (2026 est.). At $46,264, the local median is 41.1% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anniston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anniston Police Officer Pay Compares
Anniston median: $46,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anniston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,772 | -22.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -41.10% less |
Police Officers in Anniston, AL earn a median of $46,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.10% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 22.60% below the Alabama state average of $59,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anniston has a cost of living 14.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anniston, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.949 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $46,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.35% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,230
2025 BLS Actual
$44,890
2026 Current Est.
$46,264
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Anniston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,679 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anniston metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 8.9% from $41,230 (2019) to $44,890 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,679 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,449 (15.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anniston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,101 – $44,254 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,254 – $46,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,264 – $51,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,767 – $65,041 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Anniston
Looking deeper into the local job market, Anniston employs around 320 police officers, demonstrating a stable demand for law enforcement personnel. With a cost-of-living index of 85.949, the area presents a more affordable living environment compared to many regions, allowing police officers to maximize their purchasing power. Among the various employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, though federal agencies can provide significantly higher pay scales and benefits. Factors contributing to the pay structure in Anniston include union contracts, overtime availability, and the types of assignments officers undertake, such as special units or educational incentives. For officers aiming to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing advanced training, considering roles in specialized units, or even transitioning to federal law enforcement could be advantageous strategies to enhance their overall financial outcomes.
More salary data for Anniston, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $44,890 for police officersin the Anniston metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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