Police Officer Salary in Bentonville, AR: $51,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Bentonville, AR earns a median $51,996/year (≈ $25.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Bentonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $59,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for a police officer in Bentonville, Arkansas, is set at $51,996 for 2026, which starkly contrasts with the national median of $78,542, highlighting a significant pay gap of over 33%. With a salary range spanning from $30,348 at the 10th percentile to $76,276 at the 90th percentile, the figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost of living. This structure can be influenced heavily by the mandatory overtime often required for court appearances and special assignments, which can enhance overall earnings for officers. As Bentonville continues to grow, the economic dynamics for police officer pay are increasingly relevant for potential recruits and current officers considering their career paths.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,348 | $14.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,632 | $20.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,996 | $25.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,618 | $31.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,276 | $36.67 |
Median Salary Position
33.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bentonville
In Bentonville, AR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,928 (2026 est.). At $51,996, the local median is 33.8% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bentonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bentonville Police Officer Pay Compares
Bentonville median: $51,996/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bentonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $52,627 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -33.80% less |
Police Officers in Bentonville, AR earn a median of $51,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.80% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $52,627.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bentonville has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bentonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $51,996 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,834 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,806
2025 BLS Actual
$50,452
2026 Current Est.
$51,996
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,388 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,773 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,554 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,632 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,452 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,587 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bentonville metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $41,806 (2019) to $50,452 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,587 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,781 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,348 – $41,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,632 – $51,996 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,996 – $65,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,618 – $76,276 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Bentonville
In Bentonville, the local job market employs 12 police officers, and the cost of living index stands at 86.9, indicating a below-average cost of living that can impact purchasing power. Given the area's economic structure, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries compared to other law enforcement agencies, but they still fall short of the higher pay found in federal positions. To maximize pay here, officers can pursue specialized units or roles that come with extra stipends, such as detective or K-9 assignments, and consider education incentives that provide additional pay for advanced degrees. Understanding the intricacies of shift differentials and the pension multiplier formula also plays a crucial role in optimizing long-term earnings for officers looking to build a robust financial future in Bentonville AR.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,452 for police officersin the Bentonville metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bentonville 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