Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Alabama
In Alabama, police and sheriff's patrol officers earn a median $51,270 a year, well below the national median of $76,210 (−33%); the state ranks 48th of 51 states by median. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earn 12% more than the median across all occupations in Alabama ($45,670). Among neighbouring states, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia pay more (up to $74,470 in Florida) and Mississippi pays less (down to $46,140 in Mississippi). Alabama employs 11,710 police and sheriff's patrol officers, 5.54 per 1,000 jobs, the 21st largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.29 means the occupation is more concentrated in Alabama than nationally.
Alabama vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Alabama | Hourly | $18.02 | $21.28 | $24.65 | $30.33 | $37.13 | $26.51 | 11,710 | 5.54 | 1.29 |
| Annual | $37,480 | $44,260 | $51,270 | $63,090 | $77,220 | $55,130 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $22.84 | $28.50 | $36.64 | $46.93 | $55.35 | $38.08 | 670,520 | – | – |
| Annual | $47,510 | $59,290 | $76,210 | $97,600 | $115,120 | $79,200 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 48th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 21st of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.29
- Jobs per 1,000
- 5.54
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Alabama's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Alabama
13 metropolitan areas and 4 nonmetropolitan areas touching Alabama publish a row for police and sheriff's patrol officers, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $31.04 | $64,550 | $45,480 | $76,760 | 980 | 3.68 | 0.85 |
| Birmingham, AL | $29.13 | $60,590 | $42,530 | $77,220 | 2,730 | 5.25 | 1.22 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $28.96 | $60,230 | $35,710 | $78,700 | 410 | 5.69 | 1.32 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $28.69 | $59,670 | $38,440 | $85,600 | 710 | 6.54 | 1.52 |
| Dothan, AL | $28.46 | $59,210 | $35,490 | $77,270 | 430 | 7.01 | 1.63 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $28.30 | $58,860 | $44,870 | $78,390 | 560 | 6.40 | 1.48 |
| Decatur, AL | $27.46 | $57,120 | $38,910 | $74,290 | 360 | 5.80 | 1.35 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $26.93 | $56,010 | $36,800 | $77,730 | 310 | 5.53 | 1.28 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $24.03 | $49,990 | $44,260 | $63,050 | 1,010 | 8.70 | 2.02 |
| Montgomery, AL | $23.31 | $48,490 | $37,530 | $70,710 | 1,060 | 6.42 | 1.49 |
| Gadsden, AL | $23.24 | $48,340 | $35,910 | $60,160 | 240 | 7.19 | 1.67 |
| Mobile, AL | $22.60 | $47,000 | $36,570 | $61,070 | 890 | 5.17 | 1.20 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $21.58 | $44,890 | $36,970 | $63,110 | 320 | 7.39 | 1.71 |
| Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $22.07 | $45,910 | $37,020 | $62,590 | 630 | 9.68 | 2.25 |
| Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $21.19 | $44,080 | $33,280 | $60,030 | 450 | 6.61 | 1.53 |
| Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $21.03 | $43,740 | $34,510 | $65,720 | 560 | 6.67 | 1.55 |
| Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $20.95 | $43,580 | $36,440 | $59,580 | 950 | 6.22 | 1.44 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $24.65 | $51,270 | 11,710 | 1.29 |
| Florida | $35.81 | $74,470 | 43,630 | 1.02 |
| Georgia | $27.94 | $58,120 | 22,170 | 1.05 |
| Mississippi | $22.18 | $46,140 | 8,070 | 1.61 |
| Tennessee | $28.50 | $59,280 | 15,630 | 1.11 |
See the national page for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (every state ranked) and the Alabama wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Alabama estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.