Police Officer Salary in Albany, GA: $55,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Albany, GA earns a median $55,354/year (≈ $26.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Albany's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $63,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, GA, the projected median annual earnings for police officers in 2026 are set at $55,354, reflecting a notable gap when compared to the national figure of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this area spans from $39,936 at the 10th percentile to $68,731 at the 90th percentile, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This discrepancy illustrates the local labor dynamics where municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies operate under different compensation structures. In Albany, police officer salaries are influenced by the agency type, with federal roles typically commanding higher pay than municipal positions. This context is vital for potential applicants considering a career in law enforcement in Albany.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,936 | $19.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,458 | $24.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,354 | $26.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,608 | $31.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,731 | $33.04 |
Median Salary Position
29.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, GA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,795 (2026 est.). At $55,354, the local median is 29.52% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be above the median
How Albany Police Officer Pay Compares
Albany median: $55,354/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $60,036 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -29.52% less |
Police Officers in Albany, GA earn a median of $55,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.52% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.80% below the Georgia state average of $60,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 12.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, GA has a cost-of-living index of 87.669 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $55,354 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,910
2025 BLS Actual
$53,710
2026 Current Est.
$55,354
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,047 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 41.7% from $37,910 (2019) to $53,710 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,047 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,137 (50.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $39,936 – $51,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,458 – $55,354 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,354 – $64,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,608 – $68,731 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Albany
Within Albany’s job market, roughly 380 police officers are actively employed, which points to a stable demand for law enforcement personnel. The cost of living index for Albany stands at 87.669, indicating a more affordable living compared to national averages, which can positively impact overall take-home pay for officers. Those seeking higher compensation may find that federal law enforcement agencies or specialized roles within local departments offer the best financial opportunities. Factors such as agency type, special unit assignments, and educational incentives can significantly affect earnings. Officers in Albany can maximize their pay by seeking additional responsibilities, such as overtime opportunities and specialty training, which often lead to increased compensation and more advantageous pension benefits.
More salary data for Albany, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $53,710 for police officersin the Albany 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