Police Officer Salary

La Vergne vs Memphis: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

La Vergne, TN
$53,988
$25.96/hr
Memphis, TN
$77,718
$37.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Vergne, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$53,988$77,718
Hourly Rate$25.96$37.37
Entry Level (P10)$35,756$48,500
25th Percentile$43,017$60,496
75th Percentile$68,201$77,718
Top Earner (P90)$78,892$81,912
Total Employed83,630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Vergne ($53,988) and Memphis ($77,718) police officer salaries.La VergneMemphisMedian Salary$53,988$77,718Entry Level (P10)$35,756$48,500Top Earner (P90)$78,892$81,912US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between La Vergne and Memphis is $23,730 (43.95%). 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 La Vergne spans $43,136,Memphis spans $33,412. La Vergne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$35,756
P25$43,017
Median$53,988
P75$68,201
P90 (Top)$78,892
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 43.36% more than La Vergne ($58,810 effective).

La Vergne
Nominal: $53,988
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $58,810
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 La Vergne if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,718/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,912)
  • 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 La Vergne grew 3.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 42.7% growth in Memphis over the same period.

La Vergne, TN

+3.0%

$50,851 (2024) → $52,385 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+42.7%

$52,860 (2019) → $75,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: La Vergne or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median police officer salary at $77,718/year, compared to La Vergne at $53,988/year — a difference of $23,730 (43.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Vergne and Memphis?

La Vergne police officers earn $25.96/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $37.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Vergne to Memphis as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Vergne and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Vergne = $58,810, Memphis = $84,312), job availability (8 vs 3,630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $35,756 in La Vergne 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