Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Alabama
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Alabama earn a median of $51,270 a year ($24.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,220 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $76,210. Alabama ranks 48th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 5.5 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| 25th percentile | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Median | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| 75th percentile | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| Average (mean) | $55,130 | $26.51 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,272.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,136.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,971.92 |
| Weekly | $985.96 |
| Hourly | $24.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $64,550 | 980 |
| Birmingham, AL | $60,590 | 2,730 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $60,230 | 410 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $59,670 | 710 |
| Dothan, AL | $59,210 | 430 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $58,860 | 560 |
| Decatur, AL | $57,120 | 360 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $56,010 | 310 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $49,990 | 1,010 |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,490 | 1,060 |
| Gadsden, AL | $48,340 | 240 |
| Mobile, AL | $47,000 | 890 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $44,890 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| Bailiff | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Security Guard | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| Firefighter | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $86,350 | $41.51 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Alabama?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Alabama is $51,270 a year, or $24.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Alabama?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Alabama earn at least $77,220 a year. The top 25% earn $63,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,480 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $44,260 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Alabama?
About 11,710 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.