Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Athens, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Athens-Clarke County, GA

Median annual salary $56,920 -25.4% vs national
Median hourly $27.36
10th percentile $41,790
90th percentile $68,350
Employed locally 500
National median $76,290

Compare Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary & buying power

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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
in
Athens, GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,790
    25th
    $53,270
    50th (median)
    $56,920
    75th
    $68,350
    90th
    $68,350

    Athens economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,897 2023 • Census ACS
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary vs area income 90% Median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary is 10% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $150,650
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,190
    Carson City, NV $131,210
    Napa, CA $128,980
    Vallejo, CA $128,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $123,140

    Nearby metros — Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $80,060
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $78,670
    Sheboygan, WI $75,880
    Michigan $74,420
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $65,230
    Michigan City-La Porte, IN $64,740

    Related occupations in Athens, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $32,240
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $75,640
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,030
    School Bus Monitors $35,130
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $38,550
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $54,820

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make per hour in Athens?

    The median hourly wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Athens, GA is $27.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.06 or more per hour.

    Is Athens above or below average for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries?

    The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Athens, GA is 25.4% below the national median of $76,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Athens?

    Entry-level Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (10th percentile) earn around $41,790 per year in Athens, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,270.