Police Officer Salary in Laurel, MS: $62,252 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Laurel, MS earns a median $62,252/year (≈ $29.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $72,639 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Mississippi, the projected median annual salary for police officers in 2026 is anticipated to reach $62,252. This figure is considerably lower than the national median of $78,542, reflecting a local employment context characterized by a pay range extending from $42,468 at the 10th percentile to as high as $87,922 for the top earners. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differentials provide insight into the salary landscape for law enforcement professionals in this area. Police officer pay in Laurel MS must be evaluated not just in isolation, but against the backdrop of local living costs and the specific demands of the role, as officers often navigate various shifts and duties.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,468 | $20.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,332 | $24.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,252 | $29.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,456 | $37.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,922 | $42.26 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,454 (2026 est.). At $62,252, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Police Officer Pay Compares
Laurel median: $62,252/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $67,300 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -20.74% less |
Police Officers in Laurel, MS earn a median of $62,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $67,300.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel 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.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $62,252 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,639 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,053
2025 BLS Actual
$60,404
2026 Current Est.
$62,252
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,053 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,947 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,145 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,289 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,289 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,252 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,157 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $50,053 (2019) to $60,404 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,157 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,104 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $42,468 – $50,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,332 – $62,252 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,252 – $77,456 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,456 – $87,922 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Laurel
With only six police officers currently employed in the area, the local job market is limited, but steady demand for law enforcement personnel persists. The cost-of-living index in Laurel sits at 85.7, indicating that residents may experience different purchasing power compared to national averages. Among potential employers, municipal police departments typically lead in compensation, although positions within state police or federal law enforcement agencies offer higher pay scales, particularly if they feature shift differentials or overtime pay structures. The disparity in salaries here often arises from the type of agency and its corresponding funding—federal agencies tend to offer more comprehensive compensation packages compared to their municipal counterparts. Thus, for aspiring officers, gaining additional qualifications, such as specialized training or educational incentives, could significantly enhance their earning potential in this regional market.
More salary data for Laurel, 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 $60,404 for police officersin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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