Police Officer Salary

Bartlett vs Memphis: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Bartlett, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bartlett, TN
$56,852
$27.33/hr
Memphis, TN
$77,718
$37.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBartlett, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$56,852$77,718
Hourly Rate$27.33$37.37
Entry Level (P10)$34,820$48,500
25th Percentile$43,338$60,496
75th Percentile$72,771$77,718
Top Earner (P90)$83,518$81,912
Total Employed133,630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bartlett ($56,852) and Memphis ($77,718) police officer salaries.BartlettMemphisMedian Salary$56,852$77,718Entry Level (P10)$34,820$48,500Top Earner (P90)$83,518$81,912US Median $78,542

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bartlett.

The salary gap between Bartlett and Memphis is $20,866 (36.70%). Memphis's median is -1.05% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bartlett spans $48,698,Memphis spans $33,412. Bartlett has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bartlett
P10 (Entry)$34,820
P25$43,338
Median$56,852
P75$72,771
P90 (Top)$83,518
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$48,500
P25$60,496
Median$77,718
P75$77,718
P90 (Top)$81,912

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($84,312 effective) pays 36.14% more than Bartlett ($61,930 effective).

Bartlett
Nominal: $56,852
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $61,930
Memphis
Nominal: $77,718
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $84,312

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bartlett if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,518)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,718/year)
  • Larger job market (3,630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,312)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Bartlett grew 3.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 42.7% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Bartlett, TN

+3.0%

$53,549 (2024) → $55,164 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+42.7%

$52,860 (2019) → $75,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Bartlett or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median police officer salary at $77,718/year, compared to Bartlett at $56,852/year — a difference of $20,866 (36.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bartlett and Memphis?

Bartlett police officers earn $27.33/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $37.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bartlett to Memphis as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bartlett and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bartlett = $61,930, Memphis = $84,312), job availability (13 vs 3,630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Bartlett vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $34,820 in Bartlett and $48,500 in Memphis. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov