Police Officer Salary in Decatur, AL: $58,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Decatur, AL earns a median $58,868/year (≈ $28.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $67,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the projected police officer salary in 2026 stands at $58,868, representing a significant disparity compared to the national median of $78,542. This local figure reflects a salary range from $40,101 at the lower end (P10) up to $76,563 for the highest earners (P90). Essentials like mandatory court appearances and special details often create opportunities for officers to earn overtime pay, which can considerably enhance overall compensation. These insights derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight the nuances within the local labor market, where effective financial planning is essential for navigating the costs of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,101 | $19.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,868 | $28.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,131 | $35.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,563 | $36.80 |
Median Salary Position
25.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,462 (2026 est.). At $58,868, the local median is 25.05% below the national median of $78,542.
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At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be above the median
How Decatur Police Officer Pay Compares
Decatur median: $58,868/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,764 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -25.05% less |
Police Officers in Decatur, AL earn a median of $58,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.05% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% below the Alabama state average of $59,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $58,868 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,500 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,660
2025 BLS Actual
$57,120
2026 Current Est.
$58,868
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 30.8% from $43,660 (2019) to $57,120 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,009 (38.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $40,101 – $50,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,190 – $58,868 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,868 – $74,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,131 – $76,563 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Decatur
With 360 police officers employed in Decatur, the city presents a relatively stable environment for law enforcement professionals. The cost of living index in Decatur sits at 87.212, indicating affordability relative to national averages and emphasizing the purchasing power for officers. Among the highest-paying employers in the area, county sheriff's offices and municipal departments tend to rank favorably; however, federal positions offer more lucrative opportunities, indicating an advantageous move for many officers in the long term. Factors contributing to the variance in salaries include agency type, which generally sees federal roles as the most lucrative, and elements such as overtime payout structures, specialized assignments, and educational incentives. Those looking to maximize their police officer pay in Decatur, AL, would benefit from considering additional education, shift differentials, and proactively seeking opportunities within specialized units, ultimately enhancing their compensation potential.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $57,120 for police officersin the Decatur 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