Six months after they received a 20 percent average pay raise, Louisiana’s state police got another hefty salary boost this month.

State senators added the latest $11 million pay hike into Louisiana’s budget in the final days of the legislative session, with little public discussion.

It came after a $24 million salary increase approved by lawmakers in January.

The size of the combined pay raises varies depending on a trooper’s rank and years of experience.

Starting salary for a state police cadet grew from $35,610 last year to $46,610, a 31 percent increase. A trooper with 10 years of experience got a 28 percent boost.

Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, said the money was needed to keep trooper pay competitive with other law enforcement salaries.