Police Officer Salary in Gadsden, AL: $49,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Gadsden, AL earns a median $49,819/year (≈ $23.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $58,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, police officer salaries reflect a median annual pay of $49,819, which is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for police officers in this area varies from $37,009 at the 10th percentile to $62,001 at the 90th percentile, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This data reveals that while base salaries in Gadsden are competitive for a smaller municipality, the earnings potential is enhanced through mandatory overtime, particularly for court appearances and special details. This can drive effective pay well above the reported median for those willing to take on extra hours, providing an avenue for officers to increase their overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,009 | $17.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,998 | $19.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,819 | $23.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,819 | $23.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,001 | $29.80 |
Median Salary Position
36.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,992 (2026 est.). At $49,819, the local median is 36.57% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be above the median
How Gadsden Police Officer Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $49,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,735 | -16.60% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -36.57% less |
Police Officers in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $49,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.57% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 16.60% below the Alabama state average of $59,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $49,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,164 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,120
2025 BLS Actual
$48,340
2026 Current Est.
$49,819
2019–2027 Growth
+38.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,344 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 30.2% from $37,120 (2019) to $48,340 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,344 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,224 (38.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $37,009 – $39,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,998 – $49,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,819 – $49,819 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,819 – $62,001 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Gadsden
With approximately 240 police officers currently employed in Gadsden, the job market remains stable. The cost of living index stands at 85.653, suggesting that housing and everyday expenses are relatively low, which helps local officers' purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally pay the most, while state police and county sheriff's offices offer competitive wages, albeit typically lower than federal agencies. Factors contributing to the salary range include agency type, union contract stipulations, shift differentials, and educational incentives. Officers looking to maximize their pay should consider specializing in units that require advanced training, such as SWAT or K-9, and explore the benefits associated with longevity and education, including possible increases due to advanced degrees. Understanding these dynamics in the local market can significantly influence how much police officers make in Gadsden.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 $48,340 for police officersin the Gadsden 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