Police Officer Salary in Alexandria, LA: $45,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Alexandria, LA earns a median $45,326/year (≈ $21.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $52,898 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Alexandria, Louisiana, the projected median annual police officer salary for 2026 stands at $45,326, significantly diverging from the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area is expected to vary between $32,979 at the 10th percentile to $59,878 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse compensation available based on experience and assignment. These figures are derived from reliable estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The potential for retirement benefits tied to salary structures, especially for officers considering the pension multiplier, underscores the importance for current and future police staff to understand both immediate pay and long-term financial implications of their roles. Given the challenging economic environment and the necessity for robust public service, the police officer pay in Alexandria LA is critical for retaining qualified personnel.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,979 | $15.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,483 | $18.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,326 | $21.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,222 | $23.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,878 | $28.78 |
Median Salary Position
42.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, LA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,899 (2026 est.). At $45,326, the local median is 42.29% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alexandria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alexandria Police Officer Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $45,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $50,362 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -42.29% less |
Police Officers in Alexandria, LA earn a median of $45,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.29% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 10.00% below the Louisiana state average of $50,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 14.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.686 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $45,326 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,898 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,860
2025 BLS Actual
$43,980
2026 Current Est.
$45,326
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,713 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 16.2% from $37,860 (2019) to $43,980 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,853 (23.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $32,979 – $37,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,483 – $45,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,326 – $48,222 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,222 – $59,878 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Alexandria
Alexandria employs approximately 390 police officers, making it a key hub for local law enforcement careers. The cost of living index in this region is recorded at 85.686, indicating that the financial landscape for these officers is less burdensome compared to the national average, thus allowing for a relatively higher purchasing power on their salaries. In this context, municipal police departments typically emerge as the primary employers, although salaries can vary greatly depending on agency type and specialization. For instance, federal law enforcement positions often attract candidates with higher pay scales. Factors such as union contracts that include overtime structures, special unit stipends, and educational incentives play an impactful role in the wage spread across the sector. Officers aiming to maximize their pay should focus on pursuing specialized training or positions that offer additional compensation, notably in high-demand areas such as narcotics or major crimes, while also engaging in ongoing education to enhance their qualifications and earning potential.
More salary data for Alexandria, LA:
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 $43,980 for police officersin the Alexandria 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