Police Officer Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $23.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Johnson City, TN runs $23.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,985 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,785 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, Tennessee, the police officer hourly pay is projected to be $23.06 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This discrepancy may impact part-time officers working three days a week, who could earn around $29,000 annually based on this hourly rate. For those taking on roles such as patrol work, report writing, or participation in specialized operations, the hourly wages can vary greatly. Entry-level officers might start at $18.01, while experienced officers can earn up to $36.25 per hour, showcasing a broad spectrum of compensation that reflects experience and specialization within the field. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and indicate the context in which officers operate, often supporting per-diem work and additional assignments beyond their regular shifts.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.01 | $144.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.98 | $159.87 |
| Median (P50) | $23.06 | $184.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.54 | $244.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.25 | $289.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $23.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.06/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $47,975 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,678. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $922.59 | $3,998 | $47,975 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $553.56 | $2,399 | $28,785 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.04 | $1,599 | $19,190 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Johnson City) | $23.06 |
| 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 Johnson City, TN earn a median of $47,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.91% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 15.10% below the Tennessee state average of $56,519.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.06/hr = $28,785/year (purchasing power: $32,737).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,975/year (purchasing power: $54,562).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Johnson City grew 7.0% from $20.91/hr (2019) to $22.38/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.77/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 Johnson City 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 Johnson City
The potential for part-time earnings can illustrate a stark contrast between full-time and per-diem officers in law enforcement. For an officer working a 24-hour week, annual earnings derived from the hourly rate of $23.06 could lead to total compensation that is markedly less than full-time colleagues, who engage in overtime that can boost pay by an additional 20-50% for special assignments. These overtime opportunities can arise during court appearances or event security, where earnings can range from $35 to $75 per hour. Employers differ significantly within Johnson City, as compensation can vary widely among municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal agencies such as the FBI or ATF. Some officers might accept lower hourly rates for the benefits that come with full-time positions, while others might seek higher pay without benefits to suit their financial needs or preferences. When negotiating pay, hourly workers should be clear about their expectations and consider the unique context of law enforcement pay structures in Tennessee while leveraging what they bring to the table.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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 Johnson City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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