Police Officer Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $46,222 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $46,222/year (≈ $22.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $53,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the 2026 projected median salary for police officers is $46,222, which pales in contrast to the national median of $78,542—a discrepancy that highlights the economic challenges faced by local law enforcement. While the salary range spans from $39,493 at the 10th percentile to $67,412 at the 90th percentile, it’s worth considering how overtime opportunities significantly boost overall pay. Officers often find that court appearances and special assignments can generate additional income, which effectively enhances their compensation structure. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, sheds light on the current dynamics of police officer pay in Hot Springs, demonstrating how local job market conditions shape overall earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,493 | $18.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,099 | $21.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,222 | $22.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,222 | $22.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,412 | $32.41 |
Median Salary Position
41.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,919 (2026 est.). At $46,222, the local median is 41.15% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Hot Springs Police Officer Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $46,222/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $52,645 | -12.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -41.15% less |
Police Officers in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $46,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.15% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.20% below the Arkansas state average of $52,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $46,222 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,916 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,400
2025 BLS Actual
$44,850
2026 Current Est.
$46,222
2019–2027 Growth
+7.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,222 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 1.0% from $44,400 (2019) to $44,850 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,237 (7.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $39,493 – $45,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,099 – $46,222 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,222 – $46,222 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,222 – $67,412 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Hot Springs
With 140 police officers employed in Hot Springs, the local job market displays a moderate level of stability, although the cost-of-living index of 85.73 suggests that take-home pay may not stretch as far as it would in higher-cost areas. Given this financial backdrop, city and county departments typically offer the most competitive salaries among local law enforcement agencies, with federal roles, such as those with the FBI or DEA, yielding greater pay but often requiring relocation or additional qualifications. Differences between starting and higher-end salaries can be influenced by factors like agency type, overtime structures, and special unit assignments, which often include allowances for K-9 or detective roles. For those in Hot Springs seeking to maximize their earnings, engaging in overtime opportunities and pursuing specialized training could provide avenues to elevate their income within this market.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $44,850 for police officersin the Hot Springs 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
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