Police Officer Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $24.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Benton, AR runs $24.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,562 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,933 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $24.79 in 2026, substantially lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. For part-time officers working three days a week, this rate offers a stable income while also allowing flexibility, which can be appealing for those balancing secondary jobs or family commitments. The hourly pay range for police officers in Benton varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at about $15.30 and experienced officers potentially earning up to $35.92 per hour. These figures reflect the realities of various settings within law enforcement, such as patrol units, booking areas, and investigative roles, where pay must be competitive enough to attract quality candidates given the demanding nature of police work.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.30 | $122.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.00 | $152.03 |
| Median (P50) | $24.79 | $198.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.12 | $248.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.92 | $287.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $24.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.79/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $51,555 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,743. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $991.44 | $4,296 | $51,555 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $594.86 | $2,578 | $30,933 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.57 | $1,718 | $20,622 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Benton) | $24.79 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Benton, AR earn a median of $51,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.35% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $52,614.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.79/hr = $30,933/year (purchasing power: $35,596).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,555/year (purchasing power: $59,327).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Benton grew 20.7% from $19.93/hr (2019) to $24.05/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.54/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Benton
For part-time officers in Benton, those working a standard 24-hour week could expect to earn approximately $31,900 annually based on the $24.79 hourly figure, a stark contrast to the potential earnings of full-time officers. The per-diem police officer pay in Benton can be significantly higher, often ranging between $35 to $75 per hour for special assignments like event security or overtime shifts, thus providing opportunities for increased income. Municipal departments generally offer lower rates than federal agencies, but they often include benefits that can make a lower hourly pay more appealing. As officers negotiate their pay, understanding the trade-offs between hourly rates and comprehensive benefits is crucial. Whether aiming for positions in city police, county sheriff's offices, or exploring the federal landscape, knowing how to navigate these discussions can help officers optimize their compensation in a field where clinical and strategic negotiation skills are essential.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Benton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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