Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $56,920/year ($27.36/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $68K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.34), which stretches that salary to about $60,981 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,331/month — about 35.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $57K get you in Athens-Clarke County?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Athens-Clarke County, GA
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K.Top earners bring in $68K or more - a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $115K | +51% | 65,170 |
| Washington | $103K | +35% | 8,370 |
| Illinois | $102K | +33% | 29,790 |
| Alaska | $100K | +31% | 1,160 |
| New York | $93K | +22% | 54,360 |
| Hawaii | $89K | +17% | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $89K | +17% | 21,620 |
| District of Columbia | $88K | +16% | 4,830 |
| Oregon | $88K | +16% | 4,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $86K | +13% | 24,280 |
| Minnesota | $83K | +9% | 8,920 |
| Delaware | $83K | +9% | 1,790 |
| Connecticut | $83K | +9% | 6,500 |
| Arizona | $79K | +4% | 12,430 |
| Wisconsin | $79K | +4% | 11,500 |
Track police and sheriff's patrol officers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Athens-Clarke County numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median is $56,920 a year - that works out to about $27.36 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,790, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $68,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in Athens-Clarke County?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,758/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a police and sheriff's patrol officers salary go in Athens-Clarke County?
Athens-Clarke County has a Regional Price Parity of 93.34 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary is worth about $60,981 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do police and sheriff's patrol officers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.