Police Officer Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $45,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Hattiesburg, MS earns a median $45,429/year (≈ $21.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Hattiesburg's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $51,840 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 32.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
A police officer salary in Hattiesburg, MS, is projected to reach a median annual income of $45,429 by 2026, reflecting the distinct realities of municipal, state, and federal law enforcement pay structures. With salaries ranging from $35,741 at the 10th percentile to $56,126 at the 90th percentile, Hattiesburg offers compensation that typically lags behind the national median of $78,542. This disparity illustrates the challenges faced by local police departments in attracting and retaining talent, particularly in a market where the cost of living indexes at 87.633, suggesting a more affordable yet competitive environment for officers. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, these figures highlight the need for Hattiesburg to address salary competitiveness against both urban and federal counterparts to ensure effective service delivery.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,741 | $17.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,689 | $18.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,429 | $21.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,757 | $24.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,126 | $26.98 |
Median Salary Position
42.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, MS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,385 (2026 est.). At $45,429, the local median is 42.16% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hattiesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hattiesburg Police Officer Pay Compares
Hattiesburg median: $45,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hattiesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $67,302 | -32.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -42.16% less |
Police Officers in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $45,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.16% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 32.50% below the Mississippi state average of $67,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hattiesburg has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hattiesburg, MS has a cost-of-living index of 87.633 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $45,429 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,840 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,990
2025 BLS Actual
$44,080
2026 Current Est.
$45,429
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,819 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 22.5% from $35,990 (2019) to $44,080 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,819 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,829 (30.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg 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) | $35,741 – $38,689 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,689 – $45,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,429 – $51,757 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,757 – $56,126 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Hattiesburg
With around 440 police officers employed locally, the job market in Hattiesburg remains relatively stable, yet it necessitates a closer look at the real value officers derive from their wages in the context of the cost of living. The cost of living, ranked below the national average, positively influences the purchasing power of these salaries, although the overall compensation falls significantly short of what officers earn in more affluent regions. Among local employers, municipal police departments tend to offer the most competitive salaries, while state police and federal agencies provide higher compensation, especially when considering benefits like pensions and overtime. An officer looking to maximize their earning potential should consider pursuing promotions, taking specialized assignments, or advancing their education, as these factors can significantly increase take-home pay and enhance long-term career prospects within Hattiesburg’s law enforcement community.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
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 $44,080 for police officersin the Hattiesburg 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