The New Orleans Police Department pays it officers 38K a year. The after taxes take home is much less of course.
I live in California, where of course prices for rents, gas, food and probaly most else is the highest in the USA. But I find it hard to fathom how anyone could actually live much above the poverty level on 38K a year.
I'm single and have been considering applying to the NOPD. I am curious how someone could live decently on such a very low salary. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks
2007-07-14 19:49:20 · 23 answers · asked by fzappa 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
1. Pay raises
2. Over time
3. Part time job
4. Budget your money properly
5. Marry a woman that makes more than you.
2007-07-14 19:58:39 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
1
2016-06-12 18:06:00 · answer #2 · answered by Keisha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because cost of living is way cheaper in Louisiana than California.
We don't pay property taxes on the first $75,000 of a homes value
$1000/mo rent will get you a 2-3 bedroom apartment probably 1 1/2 times or better than a place in Southern California..... $1500/mo puts you in the same neighborhoods that the celebertys live in
We pay no property tax on a car... I own a 5 year old vehicle and pay roughly $100 to the state to keep it on the road for 4 years... Most states around me pay that in one year.
I'm paying $2.90/gal gas compared to $3.50+ in Cali...
Detail work makes more money (time off of the cities clock but doing sideline work for others).. Sideline work for the movies that are being made here (Like the new Fox Show K-Ville), bar rooms on bourbon street and other detail work
Actually $38k in Louisiana is a pretty decent salary (I don't know if they are including state suplimental pay in there or not either... the state kicks in roughly $300/mo to local officers pay after being employed to help with pay)... Only thing is if you work for the NOPD, you may be limited to living within Orleans Parish (the county that New Orleans is in)
Use one of the cost of living calculators for an idea if you could live in Louisiana for $38k a year...
Or check nola.com for more ideas on New Orleans,La.
2007-07-15 05:38:55 · answer #3 · answered by gearbox 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You shouldn't use California as a measure. Cost of living is very expensive in this state. Trust me, $38,000 a year isn't luxury living, but with some supplemental income from a spouse, it's not altogether terrible. Also, is 38K the starting salary or the maximum salary? I imagine over time a police officer can make more. Regardless, as a single person, you wouldn't be anywhere near the poverty level making 38K a year, even in California. Almost everyone I know makes less than that in California and they can afford to live, just on a strict budget.
2007-07-14 19:54:49 · answer #4 · answered by TheOrange Evil 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Actually 38K a year is more than a lot of officers make. The average pay for an officer here in Oklahoma is about 22K. Of course some of the largest departments pay better, but not by a whole lot, maybe 30K.
They live by working 2 and 3 jobs and usually their spouse works too.
My thoughts? I think it's pretty damn sorry.
Officers don't get government benefits. Most officers benefits are offered by the county or municipality they work for. State Troopers will get state employee benefits, Border Patrol and Tribal Police Departments will get federal benefits. I've never heard of any officers getting any kind of financial bonus for writing tickets! In fact, most officers don't get paid overtime either, even if they are FOP. They usually get comp time.
2007-07-14 22:40:18 · answer #5 · answered by AintSkeered 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nopd Salary
2016-12-24 14:43:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
New Orleans Police Salary
2016-10-05 07:27:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so confused by this... because I live in California, and I make about $31k a year as a state employee... and I'm living quite okay. Yes, I'm renting, but I live alone on one income, have enough money to pay all my bills, and to spend on my many, MANY hobbies. It's definitely not GREAT living, which is why I'm in the process of becoming a correctional officer so that I'll actually be able to afford a house some day. But when you say people can't live "decently" on that income... I have no idea what you're basing this on.
2007-07-14 23:06:16 · answer #8 · answered by Jen H 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
That sounds like a base salary. You put years in and you move up in levels, base pay goes up. Plus if there is a union, probably percentage every year increase and shift differentials. Plus when we get 3 years in you get longevity pay. Then you have overtime, security details. A wife that works always help. A base salary of 32,000 can turn into 43,000 or more if you work some overtime.
2007-07-14 20:28:18 · answer #9 · answered by Unit 77 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love the people that answer the question without having a clue. There are no bonuses for writing tickets, no meal allotments anywhere near where i work. Most officers are forced to worked a lot of overtime to live.
2007-07-15 04:16:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You get benefits from being a govern't employee. First off, insurance. That's quite a burden off a cop's shoulders. Second, I'm pretty sure they get premiums for giving tickets and such so they get a boost there. Lastly, don't forget that their wages grow by year so eventually that 38k is a 70k by the end of their careers.
2007-07-14 19:54:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋