Police Officer Hourly Pay in Smyrna, TN: $27.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Smyrna, TN runs $27.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,139 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,277 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Tennessee, police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $27.47 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $37.76, reflecting the specific economic conditions and cost of living in the area. For part-time officers, typically working three days a week, this translates to a steady role in various settings, such as patrol vehicles responding to emergencies or engaging in community policing initiatives. Entry-level police officers earn around $17.05 per hour while top earners can make up to $40.56 per hour. The hourly pay range in Smyrna highlights the potential for dedicated service in different capacities, from direct law enforcement duties to specialized operations requiring advanced skills.
About the Smyrna 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) | $17.05 | $136.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.11 | $168.85 |
| Median (P50) | $27.47 | $219.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.16 | $281.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.56 | $324.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $27.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.47/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, TN can expect to earn approximately $57,128 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,959. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,098.62 | $4,761 | $57,128 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $659.17 | $2,856 | $34,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.45 | $1,904 | $22,851 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Smyrna) | $27.47 |
| 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 Smyrna, TN earn a median of $57,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.25% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $56,517.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.47/hr = $34,277/year (purchasing power: $37,339).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,128/year (purchasing power: $62,231).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Smyrna grew 20.7% from $22.08/hr (2019) to $26.65/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.31/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Exploring part-time earning potential paints a different picture. A police officer working a 3-day, 24-hour week could expect to annualize earnings significantly less than their full-time counterparts due to fewer worked hours. Moreover, the reality of per diem and agency work offers unique financial pathways for officers seeking additional income. Mandatory overtime—often 1.5 times the base rate—during court appearances and special details can effectively boost pay by 20-50%. In Smyrna, officers might also pursue off-duty assignments that pay between $35 and $75 hourly. Variability exists across employers, such as municipal police departments and federal agencies, which may offer different strategies for financial stability and benefits. The choice for some officers to accept lower hourly rates for comprehensive healthcare benefits is significant in this context, highlighting a crucial trade-off that impacts overall compensation strategy. In negotiations, focusing on total pay, including overtime and benefits, is key to advancing one's career and ensuring fair compensation within the Smyrna law enforcement community.
More salary data for Smyrna, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Smyrna in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Smyrna?
Are police officers in Smyrna paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Smyrna?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Smyrna?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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