Police Officer Salary in Conway, AR: $55,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Conway, AR earns a median $55,317/year (≈ $26.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Conway's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $63,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Conway, Arkansas, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $55,317 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for this position reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the department, spanning from $35,020 at the 10th percentile to $82,547 at the 90th percentile. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicating that while local salaries may seem modest compared to larger urban centers or federal positions, they are in line with the overall compensation structure for law enforcement in similar-sized cities. Understanding the long-term financial implications of a police officer's pension is crucial; the retirement benefits connected to their pay can have a significant impact on total compensation over an officer's career.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,022 | $20.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,317 | $26.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,650 | $33.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,547 | $39.69 |
Median Salary Position
29.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Conway
In Conway, AR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,527 (2026 est.). At $55,317, the local median is 29.57% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Conway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Conway Police Officer Pay Compares
Conway median: $55,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Conway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $52,633 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -29.57% less |
Police Officers in Conway, AR earn a median of $55,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.57% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.10% above the Arkansas state average of $52,633.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Conway 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.
Conway, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $55,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,656 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,477
2025 BLS Actual
$53,675
2026 Current Est.
$55,317
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Conway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,477 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,505 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,336 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,892 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,675 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,010 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Conway metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $44,477 (2019) to $53,675 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,533 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Conway 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) | $35,020 – $43,022 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,022 – $55,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,317 – $70,650 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,650 – $82,547 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Conway
Currently, Conway employs 14 police officers, highlighting a relatively small job market for law enforcement in the area. The cost of living index stands at 86.9, indicating a lower living expense compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries, including police officer pay in Conway, AR. While municipal police departments are the primary employers, the highest salaries may be found in specialized units or federal law enforcement positions, which often offer more competitive compensation. Factors that contribute to the disparity in pay levels include agency type, overtime structure based on union contracts, and specialized assignments that command higher wages. Officers looking to maximize their earnings in Conway should consider pursuing positions that provide educational incentives or shift differentials, as well as actively seeking opportunities for promotion to specialized roles, ultimately optimizing both their salary and retirement benefits.
More salary data for Conway, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Conway, AR in 2026?
Is Conway, AR a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Conway?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Conway?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Conway?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 $53,675 for police officersin the Conway 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 Conway 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