Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Birmingham, AL
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $60,590 a year ($29.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,220 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 18% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $51,270. There are 5.3 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,530 | $20.45 |
| 25th percentile | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Median | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| 75th percentile | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| Average (mean) | $61,450 | $29.55 |
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 | $5,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,524.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,330.38 |
| Weekly | $1,165.19 |
| Hourly | $29.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,590 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $64,550 | 980 |
| 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 or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Bailiff | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Security Guard | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Firefighter | $51,050 | $24.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $86,350 | $41.51 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $80,790 | $38.84 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $60,590 a year, or $29.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,530 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 Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $77,220 a year. The top 25% earn $74,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,530 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $49,280 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 2,730 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.