Police Officer Hourly Pay in Van Buren, AR: $23.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Van Buren, AR runs $23.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,856 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Van Buren's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,312 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Van Buren, Arkansas, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $23.49, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This disparity in pay can influence choices for part-time officers working in various environments, such as patrol vehicles on assigned beats, police station booking areas, or courtroom settings as witnesses. For those considering flexible work options or per-diem roles in Van Buren, it's essential to note that the hourly range for police officers spans from $16.17 for entry-level positions to $34.20 for experienced personnel. This information, derived from annual salary estimates, suggests that while opportunities may exist for officers seeking part-time or extra shifts, the financial incentives in Van Buren do not compare favorably to larger urban areas where pay scales are more robust.
About the Van Buren 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) | $16.17 | $129.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.10 | $152.78 |
| Median (P50) | $23.49 | $187.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.78 | $238.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.20 | $273.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Van Buren
Based on $23.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.49/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Van Buren, AR can expect to earn approximately $48,854 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,185. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Van Buren.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Van Buren
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $939.49 | $4,071 | $48,854 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $563.70 | $2,443 | $29,312 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $375.80 | $1,628 | $19,541 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Van Buren) | $23.49 |
| 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 Van Buren, AR earn a median of $48,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.80% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $52,646.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.49/hr = $29,312/year (purchasing power: $33,731).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,854/year (purchasing power: $56,218).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Van Buren grew 20.7% from $18.88/hr (2019) to $22.79/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.21/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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren
Part-time police officers working three days a week can expect a different earning journey compared to those on a full-time schedule. Specifically, a part-time officer averaging 24 hours a week would take home approximately $29,427 annually, based on projected hourly rates. In contrast, full-time roles offer significantly higher salaries, reflecting the variable nature of police work that often includes mandatory overtime for court appearances or special duties. Overtime, calculated at 1.5 times the base rate, can augment earnings substantially, potentially adding an extra 20-50% to base pay. Additionally, the hourly rates can vary depending on whether officers work for municipal police departments or agencies such as county sheriff's offices or federal law enforcement. Some officers may intentionally accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance, while others may seek higher pay without benefits. For those considering a role in Van Buren, negotiating effectively around these factors is key, particularly within the dynamic local law enforcement landscape.
More salary data for Van Buren, 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 Van Buren. 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 Van Buren 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