Police Officer Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $37.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Memphis, TN runs $37.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,718 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,637 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the police officer hourly pay in Memphis, TN stands at $37.37, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This competitive rate creates distinct opportunities for both full-time and part-time officers, especially those operating out of patrol vehicles or engaging in various police functions such as report writing or court testimony. For potential part-time police officers working three days a week, their earnings will vary depending on experience and special assignments, with entry-level positions starting at $23.31 and experienced officers earning up to $39.38 per hour. This official BLS data provides a clear perspective on the Memphis police pay scale, which varies significantly based on rank and specific duty assignments that officers may undertake in urban settings.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.31 | $186.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.08 | $232.67 |
| Median (P50) | $37.37 | $298.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.37 | $298.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.38 | $315.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis
Based on $37.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.37/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $77,729 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,843. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Memphis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,494.78 | $6,477 | $77,729 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $896.87 | $3,886 | $46,637 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $597.91 | $2,591 | $31,091 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Memphis) | $37.37 |
| 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 Memphis, TN earn a median of $77,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.05% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 37.50% above the Tennessee state average of $56,522.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.37/hr = $46,637/year (purchasing power: $50,594).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,729/year (purchasing power: $84,324).
CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Memphis grew 42.7% from $25.41/hr (2019) to $36.26/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.51/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 Memphis 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 Memphis
Focusing on part-time earnings for a 24-hour workweek, police officers in Memphis can expect to take home around $46,350 annually, which is less compared to full-time officers earning a median income reflective of their greater hours. The reality for these per diem police officers often includes supplemental opportunities through overtime. Mandated duties such as court appearances could yield overtime pay at rates of 1.5 times their base, boosting total earnings significantly. Furthermore, off-duty roles or extra-duty assignments can offer rates between $35 and $75 per hour, providing flexible income streams for those willing to take them on. It's also essential to note the different hourly rates across employment types; municipal, county, and federal positions each present unique packages of benefits versus base pay. Some may prioritize health benefits for lower hourly rates, while others may prefer higher hourly pay without additional compensations. For those looking for positions, effective negotiation can be key, especially in discussions around flexible schedules and overtime options, enabling officers to maximize their potential earnings based on their circumstances.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 Memphis. 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