Police Officer Hourly Pay in Gallatin, TN: $26.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Gallatin, TN runs $26.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,812 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Gallatin's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,888 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, police officers in Gallatin, Tennessee, can expect a median hourly pay of $26.35, which falls significantly below the national median of $37.76 per hour. This rate influences both full-time and part-time work opportunities within the community, impacting officers who may work three days a week in various roles, such as patrol or administrative tasks at the station. For per-diem police assignments, the pay reflects operational settings typically encountered in law enforcement, including court appearances and specialized unit tasks. The hourly pay ranges from $15.93 for entry-level positions to $39.28 for more experienced officers, highlighting the disparities within the profession based on experience and specific duties in Gallatin.
About the Gallatin 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) | $15.93 | $127.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.48 | $171.82 |
| Median (P50) | $26.35 | $210.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.73 | $269.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.28 | $314.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gallatin
Based on $26.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.35/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gallatin, TN can expect to earn approximately $54,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,623. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gallatin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gallatin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,054.10 | $4,568 | $54,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $632.46 | $2,741 | $32,888 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $421.64 | $1,827 | $21,925 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Gallatin) | $26.35 |
| 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 Gallatin, TN earn a median of $54,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.21% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.00% below the Tennessee state average of $56,508.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.35/hr = $32,888/year (purchasing power: $35,826).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,813/year (purchasing power: $59,709).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Gallatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Gallatin grew 20.7% from $21.19/hr (2019) to $25.57/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.16/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 Gallatin 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 Gallatin
Examining part-time earnings in Gallatin, a police officer working three days a week (about 24 hours) would realize significantly lower annual take-home compared to full-time counterparts, who work an average of 40 hours each week. Additionally, per diem police officer pay in Gallatin can provide flexibility but often lacks job security and benefit packages. Many officers opt for salaried positions that carry mandatory overtime, significantly increasing base earnings, especially for those involved in court or special assignments. The variability in hourly rates is also influenced by the type of agency, with municipal police, county sheriff’s offices, and federal agencies presenting different compensation structures. Officers may find union representation beneficial, as labor organizations like the FOP negotiate for better pay and benefits, allowing police officers to navigate their compensation effectively. In seeking opportunities, they should consider negotiating their pay rates based on employer type and available benefits, weighing higher pay against comprehensive health care plans and retirement benefits.
More salary data for Gallatin, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Gallatin in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Gallatin?
Are police officers in Gallatin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Gallatin?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Gallatin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Gallatin. 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 Gallatin 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