Police Officer Salary in Houma, LA: $45,676 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Houma, LA earns a median $45,676/year (≈ $21.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Houma's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.1), that paycheck buys what $53,671 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Houma, Louisiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $45,676, notably lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area extends from $37,431 at the 10th percentile to $62,516 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, reflect the financial realities of serving in law enforcement in this region. Within the context of law enforcement careers, particularly for those who understand the long-term value of pension multipliers, such as 3% at 50 or 2.5% at 55, the salary structure in Houma is critical for attracting and retaining skilled officers in a competitive market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,431 | $17.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,812 | $19.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,676 | $21.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,397 | $23.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,516 | $30.05 |
Median Salary Position
41.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,085 (2026 est.). At $45,676, the local median is 41.85% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houma Police Officer Pay Compares
Houma median: $45,676/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $50,360 | -9.30% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -41.85% less |
Police Officers in Houma, LA earn a median of $45,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.85% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 9.30% below the Louisiana state average of $50,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 14.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.103 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $45,676 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,671 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,400
2025 BLS Actual
$44,320
2026 Current Est.
$45,676
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,676 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 15.4% from $38,400 (2019) to $44,320 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,674 (22.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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) | $37,431 – $39,812 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,812 – $45,676 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,676 – $49,397 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,397 – $62,516 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Houma
Employment as a police officer in Houma remains relatively stable, with 460 officers currently serving the community. The cost of living index in Houma, sitting at 85.103, indicates a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which somewhat offsets salary disparities. Among the local employers, municipal police departments often offer competitive wages, though those in federal positions within agencies like the FBI or DEA typically command higher salaries. Factors contributing to the significant pay spread include the type of law enforcement agency, overtime structures due to union contracts, and special assignment differentials, such as those for SWAT team members or detectives. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Houma LA, pursuing educational incentives and climbing through specialized units can provide a pathway to higher compensation. Understanding how much do police officers make in Houma can help refine career strategies for growth and stability in a challenging economic environment.
More salary data for Houma, 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 $44,320 for police officersin the Houma 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