Police Officer Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $26.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Fayetteville, AR runs $26.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,055 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,029 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the police officer hourly pay is set at a median rate of $26.47, which falls significantly short when compared to the national median of $37.76. This discrepancy can impact part-time officers or those working on a per-diem basis, particularly as they navigate various shifts across patrol vehicles, booking rooms, and interview settings. The hourly range for police officers in Fayetteville varies from $21.70 at the lower end to $30.40 at the higher end, indicating that entry-level positions may earn less but can progress as they gain experience and specializations. Such variations in compensation reflect not only the officers' responsibilities but also the funding and financial priorities of the local police department.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.70 | $173.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.19 | $193.51 |
| Median (P50) | $26.47 | $211.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.96 | $223.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.40 | $243.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $26.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.47/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $55,049 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,759. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,058.63 | $4,587 | $55,049 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.18 | $2,752 | $33,029 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.45 | $1,835 | $22,020 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Fayetteville) | $26.47 |
| 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 Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $55,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.90% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.60% above the Arkansas state average of $52,634.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.47/hr = $33,029/year (purchasing power: $36,156).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,049/year (purchasing power: $60,260).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Fayetteville grew 32.9% from $19.32/hr (2019) to $25.68/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.28/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Considering a part-time schedule, an officer in Fayetteville working three days a week for a total of 24 hours would take home a considerably lower annual income compared to full-time colleagues, who typically earn more through benefit packages. Additionally, per diem police officer pay in Fayetteville may open avenues for extra earning, especially during court appearances or special details, where overtime can boost income by 20-50%. The hourly rates can differ depending on the employer type; municipal departments generally offer lower rates than federal establishments like the FBI or DEA. Job security and benefits are vital trade-offs as some officers may opt for lower pay in exchange for health insurance and retirement benefits. For those negotiating hourly wages, highlighting prior experience and special training can be effective strategies in a city where police officer hourly rates can vary significantly among different law enforcement agencies.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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