Police Officer Salary

Morristown vs Nashville: Police Officer Salary (2026)

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

Morristown, TN
$50,201
$24.14/hr
Nashville, TN
$70,885
$34.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMorristown, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$50,201$70,885
Hourly Rate$24.14$34.08
Entry Level (P10)$41,956$50,953
25th Percentile$46,614$59,775
75th Percentile$56,467$77,934
Top Earner (P90)$62,794$96,691
Total Employed3104,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Morristown ($50,201) and Nashville ($70,885) police officer salaries.MorristownNashvilleMedian Salary$50,201$70,885Entry Level (P10)$41,956$50,953Top Earner (P90)$62,794$96,691US Median $78,542

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Morristown and Nashville is $20,684 (41.20%). Nashville's median is -9.75% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Morristown spans $20,838,Nashville spans $45,738. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Morristown
P10 (Entry)$41,956
P25$46,614
Median$50,201
P75$56,467
P90 (Top)$62,794
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$50,953
P25$59,775
Median$70,885
P75$77,934
P90 (Top)$96,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($73,579 effective) pays 26.58% more than Morristown ($58,127 effective).

Morristown
Nominal: $50,201
CoL Index: 86.364
Adjusted: $58,127
Nashville
Nominal: $70,885
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $73,579

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Morristown if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,885/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,691)
  • Larger job market (4,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,579)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Morristown grew 29.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.9% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Morristown, TN

+29.4%

$37,630 (2019) → $48,710 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+37.9%

$49,880 (2019) → $68,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Morristown or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median police officer salary at $70,885/year, compared to Morristown at $50,201/year — a difference of $20,684 (41.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Morristown and Nashville?

Morristown police officers earn $24.14/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $34.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Morristown to Nashville as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Morristown and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Morristown = $58,127, Nashville = $73,579), job availability (310 vs 4,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Morristown vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $41,956 in Morristown and $50,953 in Nashville. The Nashville 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