Police Officer Salary

Knoxville vs Maryville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$58,105
$27.94/hr
Maryville, TN
$53,677
$25.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMaryville, TN
Median Salary$58,105$53,677
Hourly Rate$27.94$25.81
Entry Level (P10)$45,171$35,047
25th Percentile$49,005$42,398
75th Percentile$64,474$67,447
Top Earner (P90)$79,758$77,845
Total Employed1,8606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($58,105) and Maryville ($53,677) police officer salaries.KnoxvilleMaryvilleMedian Salary$58,105$53,677Entry Level (P10)$45,171$35,047Top Earner (P90)$79,758$77,845US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Maryville is $4,428 (8.25%). Knoxville's median is -26.02% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $34,587,Maryville spans $42,798. Maryville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$45,171
P25$49,005
Median$58,105
P75$64,474
P90 (Top)$79,758
Maryville
P10 (Entry)$35,047
P25$42,398
Median$53,677
P75$67,447
P90 (Top)$77,845

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($62,769 effective) pays 7.35% more than Maryville ($58,472 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $58,105
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $62,769
Maryville
Nominal: $53,677
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $58,472

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,105/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,758)
  • Larger job market (1,860 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,769)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Maryville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Knoxville grew 42.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Maryville over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+42.5%

$39,560 (2019) → $56,380 (2025)

Maryville, TN

+3.0%

$50,558 (2024) → $52,083 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Knoxville or Maryville?

Knoxville has a higher median police officer salary at $58,105/year, compared to Maryville at $53,677/year — a difference of $4,428 (8.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Maryville?

Knoxville police officers earn $27.94/hr while Maryville hygienists earn $25.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Maryville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Maryville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $62,769, Maryville = $58,472), job availability (1,860 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Knoxville vs Maryville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $45,171 in Knoxville and $35,047 in Maryville. The Knoxville 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