Police Officer Salary

Little Rock vs Sherwood: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Little Rock, AR and Sherwood, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Little Rock, AR
$56,518
$27.18/hr
Sherwood, AR
$51,137
$24.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARSherwood, AR
Median Salary$56,518$51,137
Hourly Rate$27.18$24.59
Entry Level (P10)$41,389$31,087
25th Percentile$49,407$40,672
75th Percentile$72,338$65,455
Top Earner (P90)$78,367$76,417
Total Employed1,5207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($56,518) and Sherwood ($51,137) police officer salaries.Little RockSherwoodMedian Salary$56,518$51,137Entry Level (P10)$41,389$31,087Top Earner (P90)$78,367$76,417US Median $78,542

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Little Rock and Sherwood is $5,381 (10.52%). Little Rock's median is -28.04% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Little Rock spans $36,978,Sherwood spans $45,330. Sherwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$41,389
P25$49,407
Median$56,518
P75$72,338
P90 (Top)$78,367
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$31,087
P25$40,672
Median$51,137
P75$65,455
P90 (Top)$76,417

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Rock ($63,245 effective) pays 7.48% more than Sherwood ($58,846 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $56,518
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $63,245
Sherwood
Nominal: $51,137
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $58,846

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,518/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,367)
  • Larger job market (1,520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,245)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Little Rock grew 18.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.6% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+18.8%

$46,160 (2019) → $54,840 (2025)

Sherwood, AR

+30.6%

$37,994 (2024) → $49,619 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Little Rock or Sherwood?

Little Rock has a higher median police officer salary at $56,518/year, compared to Sherwood at $51,137/year — a difference of $5,381 (10.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Little Rock and Sherwood?

Little Rock police officers earn $27.18/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $24.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Little Rock to Sherwood as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $63,245, Sherwood = $58,846), job availability (1,520 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Little Rock vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $41,389 in Little Rock and $31,087 in Sherwood. The Little Rock area offers higher starting salaries.
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