Police Officer Hourly Pay in Jonesboro, AR: $24.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Jonesboro, AR runs $24.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,087 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Jonesboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,650 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, Arkansas, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $24.56. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour, which may influence local recruitment and retention efforts. For those considering part-time or per diem roles within this profession, such as working three days a week or opting for flexible assignments, the hourly structure offers a manageable income. Entry-level positions start at approximately $18.89, while experienced officers and specialized personnel can earn as much as $35.62 per hour. This hourly framework reflects the diverse environments where police officers operate, including patrol vehicles, police stations, and undercover settings, thus underscoring what the BLS estimates reveal about local compensation in this sector.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.89 | $151.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.43 | $187.40 |
| Median (P50) | $24.56 | $196.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.56 | $220.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.62 | $284.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jonesboro
Based on $24.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.56/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jonesboro, AR can expect to earn approximately $51,083 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,471. With a cost-of-living index of 85.88 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jonesboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jonesboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $982.37 | $4,257 | $51,083 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.42 | $2,554 | $30,650 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.95 | $1,703 | $20,433 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Jonesboro) | $24.56 |
| 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 Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $51,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.96% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.90% below the Arkansas state average of $52,613.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.56/hr = $30,650/year (purchasing power: $35,691).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,083/year (purchasing power: $59,485).
CoL index: 85.876 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Jonesboro grew 22.8% from $19.40/hr (2019) to $23.83/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.31/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 Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro
Turning to the analysis of pay dynamics, a part-time officer working a typical 24-hour week could expect to take home about $30,677 annually, substantially less than full-time counterparts. However, for those in per diem roles or working agency assignments, $35 to $75 an hour is achievable in off-duty jobs like event security or traffic direction. In Jonesboro, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employing agency—municipal, state, or federal police forces often differ significantly in compensation structures. “Per diem police officer pay in Jonesboro” can be very attractive, particularly in light of mandatory overtime that leads to additional earnings. Officers may opt for slightly lower hourly wages in exchange for comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, access to retirement benefits, and pension plans. For those engaging in wage negotiation, understanding the value of both hourly rates and long-term benefits is essential for securing the best terms possible in local law enforcement.
More salary data for Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro. 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