Police Officer Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $27.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Knoxville, TN runs $27.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,105 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,869 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, the 2026 projected police officer hourly pay stands at $27.94, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. For those working part-time, such as officers scheduling shifts three days a week, this translates to a yearly income of around $39,000, significantly affecting their financial planning and lifestyle choices. The hourly pay range in Knoxville varies, with entry-level positions earning about $21.71, while experienced officers can reach annual figures near $38.35 per hour, particularly in high-demand settings such as SWAT operations or federal investigations. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), highlights the diverse opportunities and working environments officers may experience, including traditional patrols, booking processes at stations, and detailed investigations.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.71 | $173.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.56 | $188.48 |
| Median (P50) | $27.94 | $223.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.00 | $248.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.35 | $306.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $27.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.94/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $58,114 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,527. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,117.58 | $4,843 | $58,114 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $670.55 | $2,906 | $34,869 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.03 | $1,937 | $23,246 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Knoxville) | $27.94 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $58,105 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.02% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.80% above the Tennessee state average of $56,523.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.94/hr = $34,869/year (purchasing power: $37,668).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,114/year (purchasing power: $62,779).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Knoxville grew 42.5% from $19.02/hr (2019) to $27.11/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.79/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Focusing on the financial implications of part-time work in law enforcement, officers committing to a 24-hour work week have a distinct earning potential compared to full-time counterparts. Part-time roles may limit benefits like health insurance, often leading to lower overall earnings despite attractive hourly rates. Mandatory overtime in the profession can enhance income, with extra shifts and court appearances frequently yielding 1.5 times the base pay; therefore, many officers may see their earnings increased by 20-50% through these additional hours. Employment opportunities vary widely among different agencies in Knoxville, from municipal departments to federal law enforcement positions, each offering unique pay structures and contractual benefits. Furthermore, the choice between hourly wages with fewer benefits or higher rates without health coverage remains a common negotiation point for police officers. This environment emphasizes the need for understanding market standards and leveraging negotiation skills to secure favorable terms in a dynamic field.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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 Knoxville. 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