Police Officer Hourly Pay in Russellville, AR: $24.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Russellville, AR runs $24.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,868 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Russellville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,521 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Russellville, Arkansas, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $24.46, placing it significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate reflects the various demands of the job, which can range from routine patrols to court appearances and specialized operations. For officers working part-time, say on a three-day work week, this pay translates into a limited income compared to full-time counterparts. With a reported hourly range from $16.68 to $36.30, there is a stark difference between entry-level positions and more experienced officers who may be nearing the top of the spectrum. This disparity highlights potential earning opportunities and the financial realities early-career officers face in the local law enforcement landscape, shaped by community budgets and departmental needs.
About the Russellville 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) | $16.68 | $133.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.84 | $158.71 |
| Median (P50) | $24.46 | $195.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.24 | $249.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.30 | $290.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Russellville
Based on $24.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.46/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Russellville, AR can expect to earn approximately $50,869 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,347. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Russellville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Russellville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $978.25 | $4,239 | $50,869 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $586.95 | $2,543 | $30,521 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $391.30 | $1,696 | $20,348 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Russellville) | $24.46 |
| 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 Russellville, AR earn a median of $50,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.23% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $52,659.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.46/hr = $30,521/year (purchasing power: $35,122).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,869/year (purchasing power: $58,537).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Russellville grew 20.7% from $19.66/hr (2019) to $23.73/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.20/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 Russellville 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 Russellville
Analyzing the implications of part-time work, a police officer working 24 hours weekly in Russellville would take home significantly less annually than a full-time officer. The trend towards per-diem roles, often in the form of extra-duty assignments, reveals a dynamic shift in compensation, offering hourly rates that can rise anywhere from $35 to $75 for off-duty work in security or special duties. This potential for overtime adds up, especially given that mandatory overtime is a common occurrence in law enforcement, further increasing overall income. Variations in hourly rates may be influenced by employer type; for instance, municipal police departments typically offer stable salaries, while federal law enforcement roles, such as those in the FBI or DEA, command higher pay scales. Many officers weigh the value of benefits, such as health insurance or pension contributions, against hourly rates that may seem more attractive but lack added security, guiding their choices in a fluctuating fiscal environment. Negotiating an hourly wage in Russellville often requires an understanding of these benefits and a clear articulation of individual worth in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Russellville, 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 Russellville. 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 Russellville 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