Police Officer Salary in Little Rock, AR: $56,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Little Rock, AR earns a median $56,518/year (≈ $27.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $63,245 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Police officers in Little Rock, Arkansas, earn a median annual salary of $56,518 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in this city spans from $41,389 at the low end (P10) to $78,367 at the high end (P90). This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment and wage statistics, reflecting the economic conditions in the region. The disparity in compensation here illustrates the differences in pay based on the type of law enforcement agency, where municipal roles typically offer lower salaries compared to federal positions, a trend evident for those considering a career in law enforcement in Little Rock.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,389 | $19.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,407 | $23.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,518 | $27.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,338 | $34.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,367 | $37.68 |
Median Salary Position
28.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,978 (2026 est.). At $56,518, the local median is 28.04% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Police Officer Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $56,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $52,624 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -28.04% less |
Police Officers in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $56,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.04% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.40% above the Arkansas state average of $52,624.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $56,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,245 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,160
2025 BLS Actual
$54,840
2026 Current Est.
$56,518
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,248 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 18.8% from $46,160 (2019) to $54,840 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,248 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,088 (26.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $41,389 – $49,407 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,407 – $56,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,518 – $72,338 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,338 – $78,367 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Little Rock
In the local job market, approximately 1,520 police officers are employed, indicating a stable demand for law enforcement roles. However, the cost-of-living index for Little Rock is 89.364, which is below the national average of 100, directly impacting the purchasing power of these officers. Among various agencies, federal positions, such as those with the FBI or DEA, typically offer the highest salaries, significantly outpacing the pay from municipal police departments. Various factors contribute to the wage gap, including the type of agency (federal > state > municipal), shift differentials, and educational incentives like pay boosts for advanced degrees. To maximize their earning potential in this environment, officers should consider seeking positions with federal agencies, pursuing specialized training in areas like SWAT or detective work, and taking advantage of existing union contracts that may offer better overtime and pay structures.
More salary data for Little Rock, 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 $54,840 for police officersin the Little Rock 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