Police Officer Salary in Sulphur, LA: $46,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Sulphur, LA earns a median $46,544/year (≈ $22.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Sulphur's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $51,544 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for police officers in Sulphur, Louisiana, stands at $46,544 for 2026, a figure that falls significantly below the national median of $78,542. Salary estimates indicate a wide range from $31,739 at the lower end to $65,834 for the top earners, reflecting variations in experience, responsibilities, and specific agency practices. These numbers are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, which in Sulphur is represented by an index of 90.3, indicating that the area has a lower cost of living compared to national averages. This disparity in salary can impact long-term compensation, especially as the pension multiplier formula — which determines post-retirement benefits — plays a crucial role for officers planning their financial future in a comparatively modest pay environment.
About the Sulphur Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,739 | $15.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,622 | $18.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,544 | $22.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,833 | $27.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,834 | $31.65 |
Median Salary Position
40.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sulphur
In Sulphur, LA, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,095 (2026 est.). At $46,544, the local median is 40.74% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sulphur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sulphur Police Officer Pay Compares
Sulphur median: $46,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sulphur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $50,318 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -40.74% less |
Police Officers in Sulphur, LA earn a median of $46,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.74% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.50% below the Louisiana state average of $50,318.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sulphur has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sulphur, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $46,544 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,544 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,423
2025 BLS Actual
$45,162
2026 Current Est.
$46,544
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Sulphur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,423 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,839 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,288 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,987 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sulphur metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $37,423 (2019) to $45,162 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,545 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sulphur 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) | $31,739 – $37,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,622 – $46,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,544 – $57,833 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,833 – $65,834 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Sulphur
With only five police officers employed in the immediate Sulphur area, opportunities may be limited, but the local job market is a crucial factor in determining salary levels. The low cost of living can bolster take-home pay, allowing officers to possibly stretch their budgets further than in higher-cost regions. Municipal police departments typically offer the most stable employment, while sheriff’s offices and state police may provide additional benefits such as overtime and specialized assignment pay. Factors influencing the pay disparity include agency type, potential for overtime, educational incentives, and special duties, which can increase overall income. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialized training, engaging in overtime opportunities, and exploring advanced roles wherever possible within local law enforcement can greatly enhance overall compensation and contribute significantly to retirement benefits.
More salary data for Sulphur, 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 $45,162 for police officersin the Sulphur 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
Salary data for Sulphur is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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