Police Officer Salary in Jackson, MS: $50,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Jackson, MS earns a median $50,664/year (≈ $24.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $56,895 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.7% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the anticipated earnings for police officers in Jackson, Mississippi, show a median annual salary of $50,664, falling significantly below the national median of $78,542. The salary spans from a lower limit of $36,019 to a higher level of $65,721, establishing a range that reflects varied agency types, experience, and assignments. Data derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys suggests that while local compensation may not compete nationally, the retirement benefits, influenced by the pension multiplier formula, can enhance long-term financial security for officers. Given Jackson’s unique socioeconomic factors, job opportunities are plentiful, though aspiring officers should weigh salary and benefits carefully in relation to the demands of the role.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,019 | $17.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,750 | $20.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,664 | $24.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,827 | $28.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,721 | $31.60 |
Median Salary Position
35.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,702 (2026 est.). At $50,664, the local median is 35.49% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Police Officer Pay Compares
Jackson median: $50,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $67,283 | -24.70% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -35.49% less |
Police Officers in Jackson, MS earn a median of $50,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.49% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 24.70% below the Mississippi state average of $67,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 10.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MS has a cost-of-living index of 89.048 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $50,664 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,895 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.3% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$36,660
2025 BLS Actual
$49,160
2026 Current Est.
$50,664
2019–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,215 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 34.1% from $36,660 (2019) to $49,160 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,215 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,555 (42.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $36,019 – $41,750 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,750 – $50,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,664 – $58,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,827 – $65,721 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Jackson
As of the latest projections, Jackson employs approximately 1,620 police officers, indicating a solid demand for law enforcement within the city and the surrounding areas. The cost of living index stands at 89.048, which is below the national average, suggesting that officers can stretch their take-home pay further in Jackson than in many urban centers across the U.S. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally offer the most competitive salaries, followed by county sheriff's offices and state police. The variance in pay can be driven by key factors such as agency type, union contracts, special assignments, and educational incentives. Officers aiming for higher pay should explore additional training, like POST certification, and consider agencies with overtime opportunities and specialty units, as these can significantly affect earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Jackson, MS in 2026?
Is Jackson, MS a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Jackson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Jackson?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Jackson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $49,160 for police officersin the Jackson 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