Police Officer Salary in Hernando, MS: $63,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Hernando, MS earns a median $63,365/year (≈ $30.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Hernando's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $73,938 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hernando, Mississippi, police officer salaries reflect the unique dynamics of local law enforcement structures. The projected median annual salary for police officers in this city stands at $63,365, which is approximately 19.32% lower than the national median of $78,542 for 2026. Salaries range from $39,457 at the lower end (P10) to $91,742 at the upper spectrum (P90), encapsulating the diversity in roles and responsibilities found across different law enforcement agencies. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, highlighting the economic realities officers face in Hernando as they consider their career options amid state and federal counterparts that typically offer higher salaries.
About the Hernando Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,457 | $18.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,182 | $24.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,365 | $30.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,044 | $38.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,742 | $44.11 |
Median Salary Position
19.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hernando
In Hernando, MS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,285 (2026 est.). At $63,365, the local median is 19.32% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hernando: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hernando Police Officer Pay Compares
Hernando median: $63,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hernando Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $67,338 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -19.32% less |
Police Officers in Hernando, MS earn a median of $63,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.32% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.90% below the Mississippi state average of $67,338.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hernando has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hernando, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $63,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,938 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,948
2025 BLS Actual
$61,484
2026 Current Est.
$63,365
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Hernando (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,948 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,125 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,077 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,313 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,884 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,484 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hernando metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $50,948 (2019) to $61,484 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,356 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hernando 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) | $39,457 – $51,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,182 – $63,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,365 – $80,044 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,044 – $91,742 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Hernando
In terms of the job market, Hernando currently employs six police officers, indicating a relatively small but solid municipal force. The cost of living index is 85.7, suggesting that while take-home salaries may be lower compared to national standards, purchasing power remains manageable within the community. Among local employers, the city’s police department tends to offer the most competitive salaries, although federal positions may provide higher compensation through various enforcement agencies. Factors impacting the pay gap include the agency type, overtime structures, and potential special assignments. For officers looking to maximize their earnings in Hernando, seeking assignment to specialized units, pursuing further education incentives, and capitalizing on shift differentials would be practical strategies to enhance their compensation packages in this region.
More salary data for Hernando, 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 $61,484 for police officersin the Hernando 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 Hernando 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