Police Officer Hourly Pay in Cookeville, TN: $25.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Cookeville, TN runs $25.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,712 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Cookeville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,232 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cookeville, Tennessee, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $25.83, which falls significantly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This rate can impact part-time officers who frequently work three days per week, particularly affecting their earnings potential as they might only take home around $1,000 biweekly for 48-hour work periods. With the hourly rate ranging from $16.89 at the entry-level to $37.42 for top earners, the difference can be stark based on experience and department assignments. Officers in Cookeville typically work in various settings, including assigned patrol beats, booking stations, and even sensitive environments like the staging area for special operations. All hourly estimates are derived from projected annual salaries and showcase a clear pathway to advancing in this profession.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.89 | $135.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.42 | $163.33 |
| Median (P50) | $25.83 | $206.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.51 | $260.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.42 | $299.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cookeville
Based on $25.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.83/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cookeville, TN can expect to earn approximately $53,720 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,992. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cookeville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cookeville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,033.07 | $4,477 | $53,720 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $619.84 | $2,686 | $32,232 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.23 | $1,791 | $21,488 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Cookeville) | $25.83 |
| 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 Cookeville, TN earn a median of $53,712 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.61% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $56,539.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.83/hr = $32,232/year (purchasing power: $35,111).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,720/year (purchasing power: $58,518).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Cookeville grew 20.7% from $20.77/hr (2019) to $25.06/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.62/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 Cookeville 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 Cookeville
For those considering part-time positions as police officers in Cookeville, opting for a 24-hour workweek can yield annual earnings that reflect a balance of work-life flexibility and financial stability, although they will be lower than that of full-time counterparts. With police officers generally receiving mandatory overtime for court duties and special operations, it's not uncommon for earnings from such assignments to provide a substantial uptick in income—overtime compensation can raise base pay by 20-50%. Some police roles, particularly in municipal departments versus federal agencies, also have varied pay structures where hourly wages may be supplemented by benefits like health insurance. For officers wanting to maximize their earnings, negotiating for additional off-duty assignments or seeking per diem police officer pay in Cookeville—often ranging from $35-$75/hr for extra detail work—can significantly enhance their overall compensation. Understanding the difference in hourly pay across employer types—from city departments to federal law enforcement—also helps officers and new recruits make informed career decisions in state versus municipal pursuits.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
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 Cookeville. 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 Cookeville 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