Police Officer Salary

Little Rock vs Texarkana: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Little Rock, AR
$56,518
$27.18/hr
Texarkana, AR
$58,437
$28.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARTexarkana, AR
Median Salary$56,518$58,437
Hourly Rate$27.18$28.09
Entry Level (P10)$41,389$39,380
25th Percentile$49,407$47,063
75th Percentile$72,338$74,307
Top Earner (P90)$78,367$86,191
Total Employed1,5207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($56,518) and Texarkana ($58,437) police officer salaries.Little RockTexarkanaMedian Salary$56,518$58,437Entry Level (P10)$41,389$39,380Top Earner (P90)$78,367$86,191US Median $78,542

Verdict

Texarkana, AR offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Little Rock.

The salary gap between Little Rock and Texarkana is $1,919 (3.40%). Texarkana's median is -25.60% 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,Texarkana spans $46,811. Texarkana 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
Texarkana
P10 (Entry)$39,380
P25$47,063
Median$58,437
P75$74,307
P90 (Top)$86,191

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Texarkana ($67,246 effective) pays 6.33% more than Little Rock ($63,245 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $56,518
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $63,245
Texarkana
Nominal: $58,437
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $67,246

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Larger job market (1,520 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Texarkana if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,437/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,191)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,246)
  • 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 50.7% growth in Texarkana over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+18.8%

$46,160 (2019) → $54,840 (2025)

Texarkana, AR

+50.7%

$37,615 (2024) → $56,702 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Texarkana has a higher median police officer salary at $58,437/year, compared to Little Rock at $56,518/year — a difference of $1,919 (3.40%).

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

Little Rock police officers earn $27.18/hr while Texarkana hygienists earn $28.09/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Texarkana. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $63,245, Texarkana = $67,246), job availability (1,520 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $41,389 in Little Rock and $39,380 in Texarkana. 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