Police Officer Salary

Memphis vs Tullahoma: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Memphis, TN
$77,718
$37.37/hr
Tullahoma, TN
$52,229
$25.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMemphis, TNTullahoma, TN
Median Salary$77,718$52,229
Hourly Rate$37.37$25.11
Entry Level (P10)$48,500$35,545
25th Percentile$60,496$40,987
75th Percentile$77,718$64,847
Top Earner (P90)$81,912$73,796
Total Employed3,6304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Memphis ($77,718) and Tullahoma ($52,229) police officer salaries.MemphisTullahomaMedian Salary$77,718$52,229Entry Level (P10)$48,500$35,545Top Earner (P90)$81,912$73,796US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Memphis and Tullahoma is $25,489 (48.80%). 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 Memphis spans $33,412,Tullahoma spans $38,251. Tullahoma has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Memphis
P10 (Entry)$48,500
P25$60,496
Median$77,718
P75$77,718
P90 (Top)$81,912
Tullahoma
P10 (Entry)$35,545
P25$40,987
Median$52,229
P75$64,847
P90 (Top)$73,796

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($84,312 effective) pays 48.19% more than Tullahoma ($56,894 effective).

Memphis
Nominal: $77,718
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $84,312
Tullahoma
Nominal: $52,229
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $56,894

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Tullahoma if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Memphis grew 42.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Tullahoma over the same period.

Memphis, TN

+42.7%

$52,860 (2019) → $75,410 (2025)

Tullahoma, TN

+3.0%

$49,195 (2024) → $50,678 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Memphis or Tullahoma?

Memphis has a higher median police officer salary at $77,718/year, compared to Tullahoma at $52,229/year — a difference of $25,489 (48.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Memphis and Tullahoma?

Memphis police officers earn $37.37/hr while Tullahoma hygienists earn $25.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Memphis to Tullahoma as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Memphis and Tullahoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Memphis = $84,312, Tullahoma = $56,894), job availability (3,630 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $48,500 in Memphis and $35,545 in Tullahoma. 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