Police Officer Hourly Pay in La Vergne, TN: $25.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in La Vergne, TN runs $25.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,988 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against La Vergne's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,399 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in La Vergne, TN, earn a median hourly pay of $25.96, significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate directly impacts various work scenarios, such as part-time officers working three days a week, who would see their earnings fluctuate based on the number of shifts they cover. The pay range for police officers varies from $17.19 for entry-level positions up to $37.93 for the most experienced professionals. Understanding this range is critical for those considering police work in La Vergne, where officers may find themselves engaged in a plethora of duties that include patrolling assigned beats, conducting criminal investigations in plainclothes, or providing testimony in court. Many officers balance their roles against the backdrop of a cost of living index that sits below the national average, which adds another layer of consideration regarding overall compensation.
About the La Vergne 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) | $17.19 | $137.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.68 | $165.47 |
| Median (P50) | $25.96 | $207.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.79 | $262.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.93 | $303.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Vergne
Based on $25.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.96/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Vergne, TN can expect to earn approximately $53,998 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,153. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Vergne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Vergne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,038.43 | $4,500 | $53,998 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $623.06 | $2,700 | $32,399 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.37 | $1,800 | $21,599 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (La Vergne) | $25.96 |
| 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 La Vergne, TN earn a median of $53,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.26% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $56,532.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.96/hr = $32,399/year (purchasing power: $35,293).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,998/year (purchasing power: $58,822).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in La Vergne grew 20.7% from $20.87/hr (2019) to $25.19/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.76/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 La Vergne 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 La Vergne
For part-time officers working a 24-hour week, the net income can differ drastically when compared to full-time officers. Salaried police often accumulate additional earnings through obligatory overtime, especially when they participate in court events or respond to emergencies, which can push overall hourly earnings significantly higher. Furthermore, opportunities for per diem police officer pay in La Vergne can lead to compensation beyond the typical hourly rates, particularly for off-duty assignments that pay between $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the nature of the work. The variation in pay may also be influenced by the type of department—municipal, county, or federal—where different agencies offer distinctive benefits and compensation structures. Even though accepting a lower hourly rate might seem unfavorable, for some officers, the accompanying health benefits weigh heavily in their decision-making process. As they negotiate their pay, candidates should be informed about the full compensation package versus straight pay to make the best choice for their careers.
More salary data for La Vergne, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in La Vergne in 2026?
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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 La Vergne. 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 La Vergne 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