Police Officer Salary in Montgomery, AL: $49,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Montgomery, AL earns a median $49,974/year (≈ $24.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $55,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.4% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Montgomery, Alabama, are projected to have a median annual pay of $49,974, positioning them significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range indicates considerable variability, with the lower end at $38,678 and the upper end reaching $72,874. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflect the local economic context where overtime—as a mandatory aspect of court appearances and special details—can substantially impact overall earnings. As officers often pursue these additional hours, the resulting pay can effectively enhance their financial landscape, making police officer pay in Montgomery an essential topic of discussion among current and prospective law enforcement professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,678 | $18.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,192 | $21.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,974 | $24.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,888 | $29.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,874 | $35.03 |
Median Salary Position
36.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,196 (2026 est.). At $49,974, the local median is 36.37% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montgomery Police Officer Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $49,974/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $59,777 | -16.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -36.37% less |
Police Officers in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $49,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.37% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 16.40% below the Alabama state average of $59,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $49,974 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,724 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,790
2025 BLS Actual
$48,490
2026 Current Est.
$49,974
2019–2027 Growth
+7.8%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,503 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 1.5% from $47,790 (2019) to $48,490 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,503 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,713 (7.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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) | $38,678 – $45,192 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,192 – $49,974 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,974 – $61,888 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,888 – $72,874 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Montgomery
Evaluating the job market, Montgomery employs around 1,060 police officers, which fosters both camaraderie and competition within the field. With a cost-of-living index of 89.682, police officers may find their salaries stretched, suggesting a need for strategic financial planning to maximize purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices typically offer competitive pay, with federal law enforcement agencies providing even higher compensation packages. Factors such as union contract structures, specialized assignments like SWAT, and educational incentives can drive notable discrepancies in salaries. Improving earnings in Montgomery often hinges on negotiating for overtime opportunities, pursuing advanced training, or aligning with departments that offer favorable pension packages to bolster future retirement security.
More salary data for Montgomery, 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 $48,490 for police officersin the Montgomery 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