Police Officer Hourly Pay in Oak Ridge, TN: $26.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Oak Ridge, TN runs $26.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,462 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Oak Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,274 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, TN, police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $26.66 by 2026. This rate lags significantly behind the national median of $37.76, which places local officers in a challenging position when it comes to compensation. The pay scale for police officers in this region ranges from approximately $16.53 at the entry-level (P10) to $40.36 for the most experienced officers (P90). For part-time officers working three days a week, typically covering around 24 hours, there is potential to earn less annually than their full-time counterparts, especially considering the financial implications of working within the department’s patrolling, administrative, and investigation environments. Understanding the hourly rate helps both full-time and per-diem police personnel make informed decisions about their work and personal finances.
About the Oak Ridge 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) | $16.53 | $132.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.50 | $163.99 |
| Median (P50) | $26.66 | $213.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.53 | $268.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.36 | $322.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Ridge
Based on $26.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.66/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Ridge, TN can expect to earn approximately $55,456 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,994. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,066.46 | $4,621 | $55,456 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.88 | $2,773 | $33,274 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.59 | $1,849 | $22,182 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Oak Ridge) | $26.66 |
| 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 Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $55,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.39% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $56,536.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.66/hr = $33,274/year (purchasing power: $36,246).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,456/year (purchasing power: $60,410).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Oak Ridge grew 20.7% from $21.44/hr (2019) to $25.87/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.48/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 Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
Exploring part-time earnings further, a police officer in Oak Ridge who works 24 hours per week can expect take-home pay that reflects significant differences in operational demands compared to full-time roles. With mandatory overtime being a reality in police work, opportunities for extra pay exist through court appearances and special details, where officers often receive overtime rates that enhance their income by 20-50%. Per diem police officer pay in Oak Ridge can vary widely, particularly for off-duty assignments such as event security or construction site flagging, with rates commonly ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. The type of employer also plays a critical role in shaping hourly rates; municipal departments, state police, and federal law enforcement agencies provide various remuneration packages that can affect overall job satisfaction and financial well-being. Officers may face decisions weighing lower hourly pay against enticing benefits like health insurance. Negotiating pay effectively in this context requires clarity on the unique aspects of police officer compensation structure in Oak Ridge, taking into account both hourly rates and the significance of benefits.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge. 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 Oak Ridge 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