Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kingsport, TN: $24.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kingsport, TN runs $24.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,108 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kingsport's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,071 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officer hourly pay in Kingsport, Tennessee, is projected to be approximately $24.10, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This disparity reflects the local economic conditions, where the cost of living index is below the national average. For officers in part-time roles, typically working three days a week, the hourly pay can still amount to a reasonable take-home pay despite fewer hours. The pay range for officers in Kingsport spans from $22.56 for entry-level positions to $33.66 for top earners in specialized units or those with extensive experience. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the professional settings in which officers work, including patrol beats, booking rooms at police stations, and court testimony scenarios.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.56 | $180.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.56 | $180.48 |
| Median (P50) | $24.10 | $192.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.47 | $219.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.66 | $269.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kingsport
Based on $24.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.10/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kingsport, TN can expect to earn approximately $50,118 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,915. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kingsport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kingsport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $963.82 | $4,177 | $50,118 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $578.29 | $2,506 | $30,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $385.53 | $1,671 | $20,047 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kingsport) | $24.10 |
| 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 Kingsport, TN earn a median of $50,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.20% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 11.40% below the Tennessee state average of $56,555.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.10/hr = $30,071/year (purchasing power: $34,786).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,118/year (purchasing power: $57,976).
CoL index: 86.447 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kingsport grew 26.1% from $18.54/hr (2019) to $23.38/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.83/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 Kingsport 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 Kingsport
Evaluating the part-time earning potential reveals that a police officer working 24 hours a week could take home considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Since police work often requires mandatory overtime, including time spent in court or special operations, it provides opportunities to augment base pay significantly; overtime compensation can add as much as 50% or more beyond regular earnings. Officers also have the chance to earn additional per diem opportunities, often ranging from $35 to $75 per hour for off-duty assignments, like event security. Differences in hourly rates can also emerge depending on the type of employer, with federal law enforcement positions offering higher compensation compared to local municipal roles. While some officers might opt for lower hourly wages that include benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher hourly pay without these additional perks. For those seeking positions in Kingsport, negotiating for higher hourly rates might be essential, particularly when considering the cost of living and the benefits provided by different law enforcement agencies.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 Kingsport. 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