Police Officer Salary

Hendersonville vs Nashville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Hendersonville, TN
$54,908
$26.39/hr
Nashville, TN
$70,885
$34.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHendersonville, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$54,908$70,885
Hourly Rate$26.39$34.08
Entry Level (P10)$34,971$50,953
25th Percentile$41,661$59,775
75th Percentile$70,201$77,934
Top Earner (P90)$82,341$96,691
Total Employed134,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hendersonville ($54,908) and Nashville ($70,885) police officer salaries.HendersonvilleNashvilleMedian Salary$54,908$70,885Entry Level (P10)$34,971$50,953Top Earner (P90)$82,341$96,691US Median $78,542

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hendersonville.

The salary gap between Hendersonville and Nashville is $15,977 (29.10%). Nashville's median is -9.75% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hendersonville spans $47,370,Nashville spans $45,738. Hendersonville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hendersonville
P10 (Entry)$34,971
P25$41,661
Median$54,908
P75$70,201
P90 (Top)$82,341
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$50,953
P25$59,775
Median$70,885
P75$77,934
P90 (Top)$96,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($73,579 effective) pays 23.02% more than Hendersonville ($59,813 effective).

Hendersonville
Nominal: $54,908
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $59,813
Nashville
Nominal: $70,885
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $73,579

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hendersonville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,885/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,691)
  • Larger job market (4,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,579)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Hendersonville grew 3.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.9% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Hendersonville, TN

+3.0%

$51,718 (2024) → $53,278 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+37.9%

$49,880 (2019) → $68,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Hendersonville or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median police officer salary at $70,885/year, compared to Hendersonville at $54,908/year — a difference of $15,977 (29.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hendersonville and Nashville?

Hendersonville police officers earn $26.39/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $34.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hendersonville to Nashville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hendersonville and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hendersonville = $59,813, Nashville = $73,579), job availability (13 vs 4,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Hendersonville vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $34,971 in Hendersonville and $50,953 in Nashville. The Nashville 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