Police Officer Salary in Starkville, MS: $65,455 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Starkville, MS earns a median $65,455/year (≈ $31.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $76,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Starkville, Mississippi, the projected median annual police officer salary for 2026 is estimated to be $65,455, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area indicates a starting pay of $39,817 at the 10th percentile, rising to $93,729 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments underscore the financial landscape for law enforcement in Starkville. For officers considering their long-term financial future, the pension multiplier formula plays a critical role in retirement income, impacting the overall earning potential and long-tail compensation that comes from years of service, particularly in a market where competitive pay is increasingly essential.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,817 | $19.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,584 | $25.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,455 | $31.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,666 | $39.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,729 | $45.06 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,912 (2026 est.). At $65,455, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Starkville Police Officer Pay Compares
Starkville median: $65,455/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $67,341 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -16.66% less |
Police Officers in Starkville, MS earn a median of $65,455 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $67,341.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville 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.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $65,455 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,628
2025 BLS Actual
$63,512
2026 Current Est.
$65,455
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,628 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,845 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,828 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,002 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,512 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,455 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $52,628 (2019) to $63,512 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,830 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $39,817 – $53,584 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,584 – $65,455 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,455 – $81,666 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,666 – $93,729 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Starkville
The job market for police officers in Starkville is relatively tight, with only five officers currently employed in the area. Given the cost-of-living index of 85.7, salaries may stretch further than in more expensive regions, but they still present challenges when factoring in overall purchasing power. Among Starkville's various law enforcement entities, municipal police departments usually offer more competitive salaries compared to county sheriff's offices and state police, though not reaching the compensation level seen in federal agencies. Factors such as agency type, union contracts, special assignments, and incentive programs all contribute to the salary spread. Maximizing pay in this specific market may involve actively pursuing specialized training and assignments, which can offer additional stipends. Furthermore, taking advantage of shifts that include premium pay can enhance overall earnings, a strategic consideration for officers seeking to boost their financial standing.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 $63,512 for police officersin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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