Police Officer Salary in Gainesville, GA: $63,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Gainesville, GA earns a median $63,279/year (≈ $30.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $65,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The compensation for police officers in Gainesville, Georgia, reflects a 2026 median annual salary of $63,279. This figure showcases a notable contrast when compared to the national median of $78,542, highlighting a gap of approximately 19.43%. The salary range for local officers stretches from $52,530 at the lower percentile to $78,408 at the high end, indicating that the earning potential can vary significantly based on experience, role, and agency type. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizes how mandatory overtime related to special details and court appearances can effectively enhance the take-home pay for officers in this region. Given the dynamics in Gainesville's job market, the structured pay scales, along with overtime opportunities, can incentivize police work for those considering a career in law enforcement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,530 | $25.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,406 | $25.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,279 | $30.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,659 | $32.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,408 | $37.70 |
Median Salary Position
19.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, GA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,878 (2026 est.). At $63,279, the local median is 19.43% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gainesville Police Officer Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $63,279/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $59,980 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -19.43% less |
Police Officers in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $63,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.43% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.50% above the Georgia state average of $59,980.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 96.766 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $63,279 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,394 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,250
2025 BLS Actual
$61,400
2026 Current Est.
$63,279
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,215 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 35.7% from $45,250 (2019) to $61,400 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,215 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,965 (44.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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) | $52,530 – $53,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,406 – $63,279 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,279 – $66,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,659 – $78,408 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Gainesville
In Gainesville, approximately 420 police officers are employed, reflecting a competitive local job market for law enforcement careers. The cost of living index stands at 96.766, which is slightly below the national average, imparting a more favorable outlook on purchasing power for officers in the area. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, while opportunities for promotion into specialized units like K-9 or SWAT can also contribute to higher pay. Factors influencing the disparity in salaries include agency type and the potential for earning overtime through union contracts. To maximize earnings, prospective officers should consider engaging in specialized training or pursuing advanced degrees, as educational incentives can provide additional compensation. By understanding the structure of police officer pay in Gainesville, GA, candidates can better navigate their career paths in law enforcement while making informed decisions about their future.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
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 $61,400 for police officersin the Gainesville 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