Police Officer Salary in Georgia: $60,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $60,639/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,133 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($62,101), Gainesville ($61,400), Atlanta ($60,910).
In 2026, the average median salary for police officers in Georgia is projected to be $60,639, which is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542, reflecting a difference of 22.8%. The highest-paying city in the state, Sandy Springs, offers salaries around $64,001, while Macon sits at the lower end with $48,057. This gap of $15,944 can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for law enforcement in urban versus rural areas, and the availability of budget resources for police departments. To become a police officer in Georgia, candidates must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing a training academy and passing necessary examinations. This regulatory framework impacts the pool of eligible candidates and influences salary structures. Demand drivers in Georgia's law enforcement job market include urban development, crime rates, and community engagement initiatives. Currently, there are approximately 18,092 employed police officers in the state, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.06%, indicating a steady need for officers over the coming years. Understanding these aspects can guide prospective applicants in making informed decisions about their law enforcement careers in Georgia.
Georgia Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $35,117 (lowest entry-level) to $96,215 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia police officers earn 22.79% less than the national median ($-17,903/year difference).
Georgia Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Georgia range from $47,995 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,656 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,639. The Georgia median is $17,903 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $29.16/hr. Approximately 18,092 police officers are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,750
2025 BLS Actual
$58,839
2026 Current Est.
$60,639
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,801 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,116 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,537 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,495 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.6% from $45,750 (2019) to $58,839 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,495 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,745 (36.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Macon | $48,057 |
| Valdosta | $48,397 |
| Columbus | $51,520 |
| Warner Robins | $54,570 |
| Albany | $55,354 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton | $61,970 | 89.844 | $68,975 |
| Sandy Springs | $64,001 | 93.1 | $68,744 |
| Athens | $62,568 | 93.343 | $67,030 |
| Roswell | $61,351 | 93.1 | $65,898 |
| Augusta | $60,177 | 91.903 | $65,479 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,995 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,639 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,656 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $64,001 |
| 2 | Gainesville | $63,279 |
| 3 | Atlanta | $62,774 |
| 4 | Athens | $62,568 |
| 5 | Dalton | $61,970 |
| 6 | Savannah | $61,764 |
| 7 | Roswell | $61,351 |
| 8 | Alpharetta | $60,616 |
| 9 | South Fulton | $60,546 |
| 10 | Augusta | $60,177 |
| 11 | Brookhaven | $60,003 |
| 12 | Hinesville | $59,837 |
| 13 | Lawrenceville | $59,587 |
| 14 | Statesboro | $59,522 |
| 15 | Woodstock | $59,452 |
| 16 | Stockbridge | $59,364 |
| 17 | Pooler | $59,280 |
| 18 | Marietta | $58,914 |
| 19 | Peachtree Corners | $58,907 |
| 20 | Johns Creek | $58,654 |
| 21 | Evans | $58,204 |
| 22 | Douglasville | $58,149 |
| 23 | Dunwoody | $58,144 |
| 24 | Smyrna | $58,083 |
| 25 | McDonough | $57,836 |
| 26 | Newnan | $57,743 |
| 27 | Milton | $57,720 |
| 28 | Kennesaw | $57,287 |
| 29 | Rome | $57,208 |
| 30 | Cartersville | $57,158 |
| 31 | Peachtree City | $57,156 |
| 32 | Tucker | $57,012 |
| 33 | Canton | $56,877 |
| 34 | Griffin | $55,817 |
| 35 | Albany | $55,354 |
| 36 | Warner Robins | $54,570 |
| 37 | Columbus | $51,520 |
| 38 | Valdosta | $48,397 |
| 39 | Macon | $48,057 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore police officer hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Georgia?
How does Georgia police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Georgia?
How many police officers are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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