Police Officer Hourly Pay in Pine Bluff, AR: $24.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Pine Bluff, AR runs $24.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Pine Bluff's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,830 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the projected median police officer hourly pay for 2026 is $24.70, which presents a substantial gap when compared to the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This disparity significantly impacts both part-time and per-diem officers who typically work in varied settings, from patrol vehicles on assigned beats to specialized units such as SWAT or K-9 operations. Potential earnings for these workers can range from $15.18 for entry-level positions to as much as $37.07 for experienced top earners within the community. These figures, derived from estimated annual salary data, highlight potential earnings across the spectrum of police work in Pine Bluff, where officers may find themselves balancing multiple responsibilities throughout their shifts, including report writing and court testimonies.
About the Pine Bluff 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) | $15.18 | $121.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.83 | $150.63 |
| Median (P50) | $24.70 | $197.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.62 | $252.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.07 | $296.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pine Bluff
Based on $24.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.70/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pine Bluff, AR can expect to earn approximately $51,383 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,644. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pine Bluff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pine Bluff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $988.14 | $4,282 | $51,383 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $592.88 | $2,569 | $30,830 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.26 | $1,713 | $20,553 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Pine Bluff) | $24.70 |
| 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 Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $51,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.59% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $52,638.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.70/hr = $30,830/year (purchasing power: $35,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,383/year (purchasing power: $59,129).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Pine Bluff grew 30.7% from $18.34/hr (2019) to $23.97/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.46/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 Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff
Exploring part-time opportunities, a police officer working three days a week could net considerably less than a full-time colleague depending on the hours committed. For instance, a 24-hour workweek would lead to a considerably lower annual take-home than what full-time officers enjoy. Per diem positions may offer enticing rates but often come without benefits such as health insurance. Many officers in Pine Bluff can also capitalize on overtime, which can elevate base pay by 20-50% for additional court appearances or special assignments, while off-duty work, such as event security, can bring in $35-$75 per hour in cash. The type of employer—whether municipal, county, or federal—affects hourly compensation significantly. For those contemplating a transition to agencies with better hourly pay versus those providing health benefits, strategies for negotiation can center around showing your value and leveraging experience against the more favorable local pay rates. Understanding these dynamics is essential for aspiring or current officers in Pine Bluff hoping to maximize their earnings.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, 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 Pine Bluff. 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 Pine Bluff 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