The fact that police officers put their lives on the line every day they put on their uniforms lead many to believe that they are well compensated for their services.
However, that is not the case. According to Startclass, the average annual salary for a police officer is $58,720, and many cities pay below that.
Startclass recently compiled public data from every city in the U.S. and identified the 30 cities with the lowest average annual salaries for police officers.
The cities with the lowest average annual salaries are listed below.
#20. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $35,290. In the past year, the salary decreased by 3.17%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 7.29%.
#19. Albany, Georgia: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $35,270. In the past year, the salary decreased by 2.15%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 3.92%.
#18. Hattiesburg, Mississippi: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $35,090. In the past year, the salary decreased by 0.47%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 4.44%.
#17. Fort Smith, Arkansas: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,780. In the past year, the salary decreased by 0.06%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 2.80%.
#16. Jonesboro, Arkansas: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,730. In the past year, the salary has not changed. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 3.06%.
#15. Joplin, Missouri: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,660. In the past year, the salary decreased by 4.60%. In the past five years, the average salary increased by 0.02%.
#14. Gulfport, Mississippi: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,610. In the past year, the salary decreased by 2.70%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 1.79%.
#13. Valdosta, Georgia: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,480. In the past year, the salary decreased by 0.41%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 5.05%.
#12. Gadsden, Alabama: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,320. In the past year, the salary decreased by 1.41%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 6.55%.
#11. Sumter, South Carolina: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,310. The salary hasn’t changed in the last five years.
#10. Pascagoula, Mississippi: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,300. In the past year, the salary decreased by 1.33%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 0.28%.
#9. Macon, Georgia: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,190. In the past year, the salary decreased by 7.13%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 11.33%.
#8. Monroe, Louisiana: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $34,000. In the past year, the salary decreased by 2.69%. In the past five years, the average salary increased by 2.03%.
#7. Jackson, Mississippi: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $33,480. In the past year, the salary decreased by 2.37%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 5.27%.
#6. Goldsboro, North Carolina: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $33,400. In the past year, the salary decreased by 0.45%.
#5. Cape Girardeau, Missouri: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $32,370. In the past year, the salary decreased by 5.33%.
#4. Mobile, Alabama: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $32,130. In the past year, the salary decreased by 9.91%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 11.12%.
#3. Morristown, Tennessee: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $31,920. In the past year, the salary decreased by 6.11%. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 7.61%.
#2. Anderson, South Carolina: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $31,900. In the past year, the salary did not change. In the past five years, the average salary decreased by 19.22%.
#1. Alexandria, Louisiana: The average annual salary for police officers in this city is $31,370. In the past year, the salary decreased by 22.42%.
Not sure where you got your research but all these cities are over $30k a year. Thats WAY MORE than alot of other cities! This list is extremely inaccurate!!! My husband makes $12 an hour and I know cities that start at $10.
You clearly did not check Benton Arkansas. Your number 20 is about what my husband makes after 16 years as a officer.
You obviously missed QPD Fort Yuma Indian Reservation. We make 28,800 a year before taxes. We are also Tribal, AZ State Peace Officers and in times of need FederalDeputies with Cross Jurisdiction training.
New Boston, Ohio. Police and fire alike pay $23k/yr with increases over time of 2¢ per year