Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Georgia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Georgia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Georgia Median
$58,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#45 of 51
22,170 employed here

How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in Georgia?

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Georgia take home a median of $58,120 annually — roughly $27.94 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $76,210.

Within Georgia, entry-level pay starts around $43,690 while the top 10% make $76,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,290 and $63,270 a year.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in Georgia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$43,690$21.00
25th percentile (early career)$48,290$23.22
50th percentile (median)$58,120$27.94
75th percentile (experienced)$63,270$30.42
90th percentile (top earners)$76,250$36.66

How Georgia compares

Georgia ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$118,880
2Washington$102,080
3Illinois$100,520
4Alaska$99,130
5Colorado$97,350

Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Georgia

Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Georgia pay ($58,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in Georgia?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Georgia is $58,120 per year, or about $27.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,690 at the entry level to $76,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Georgia pay compare to the national average?
Georgia pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 24% less than the national median of $76,210. Georgia ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Georgia a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,120 a year. About 22,170 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in Georgia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Georgia?
The highest-paying occupations in Georgia include Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($618,090), Cardiologist ($610,070), Surgeon, All Other ($502,070), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.