Police Officer Salary in Mississippi: $50,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $50,027/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $58,375 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($64,693), Tupelo ($64,678), Madison ($64,419).
In Mississippi, police officer salaries are significantly lower than the national average. The projected median salary in 2026 for officers in the state is $50,027, which falls short of the national median of $78,542 by 36.3%. The highest-paying city is Pearl, offering an annual salary of $66,673, while Hattiesburg offers the lowest at $45,429, creating a notable salary gap driven by factors such as cost of living, local government budgets, and the demand for law enforcement in urban areas compared to more rural communities. Mississippi has specific state licensing requirements that police officers must meet, which influences the hiring process and the overall job market. The projected annual growth rate for this profession is 3.06%, indicating a steady demand for officers, partly due to ongoing community safety initiatives and the need for enhanced policing in various sectors. Key metropolitan areas where salaries are higher include Tupelo at $66,657, Madison at $66,390, Southaven at $66,214, and Horn Lake at $65,942. These cities reflect a trend where local economies and resource allocations in public safety can lead to higher compensation for law enforcement professionals. Understanding these local dynamics is critical for those considering a career in policing in Mississippi.
Mississippi Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $31,299 (lowest entry-level) to $99,441 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi police officers earn 36.31% less than the national median ($-28,515/year difference).
Mississippi Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Mississippi range from $36,837 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $63,571 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,027. The Mississippi median is $28,515 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $24.05/hr. Approximately 3,170 police officers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,744
2025 BLS Actual
$48,542
2026 Current Est.
$50,027
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,744 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,718 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,134 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,763 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,227 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,542 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.6% from $37,744 (2019) to $48,542 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,814 (36.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $45,429 |
| Gulfport | $49,520 |
| Biloxi | $50,105 |
| Jackson | $50,664 |
| Clinton | $61,888 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $66,673 | 85.7 | $77,798 |
| Tupelo | $66,657 | 85.7 | $77,779 |
| Madison | $66,390 | 85.7 | $77,468 |
| Southaven | $66,214 | 85.7 | $77,263 |
| Horn Lake | $65,942 | 85.7 | $76,945 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,837 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,027 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $63,571 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $66,673 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $66,657 |
| 3 | Madison | $66,390 |
| 4 | Southaven | $66,214 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $65,942 |
| 6 | Starkville | $65,455 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $64,626 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $64,626 |
| 9 | Oxford | $64,218 |
| 10 | Brandon | $64,150 |
| 11 | Meridian | $63,811 |
| 12 | Olive Branch | $63,685 |
| 13 | Hernando | $63,365 |
| 14 | Columbus | $63,294 |
| 15 | Laurel | $62,252 |
| 16 | Clinton | $61,888 |
| 17 | Jackson | $50,664 |
| 18 | Biloxi | $50,105 |
| 19 | Gulfport | $49,520 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $45,429 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Mississippi?
How many police officers are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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