Police Officer Salary in North Little Rock, AR: $55,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in North Little Rock, AR earns a median $55,684/year (≈ $26.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in North Little Rock's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $64,078 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for a police officer in North Little Rock, Arkansas, stands at $55,684. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. The salary range for police officers here varies widely from $35,601 at the 10th percentile to as much as $85,990 at the 90th percentile. The compensation levels indicate some variability, suggesting that career longevity and additional qualifications can significantly enhance earnings. The type of agency one serves also plays a critical role in shaping overall compensation, particularly with the retirement pension multiplier that becomes increasingly valuable over time.
About the North Little Rock Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,601 | $17.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,741 | $21.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,684 | $26.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,276 | $34.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
Median Salary Position
29.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Little Rock
In North Little Rock, AR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,389 (2026 est.). At $55,684, the local median is 29.1% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Little Rock Police Officer Pay Compares
North Little Rock median: $55,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $52,632 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -29.10% less |
Police Officers in North Little Rock, AR earn a median of $55,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.10% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.80% above the Arkansas state average of $52,632.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Little Rock 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.
North Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $55,684 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,078 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,772
2025 BLS Actual
$54,031
2026 Current Est.
$55,684
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in North Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,466 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,807 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,643 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,245 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,143 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,031 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Little Rock metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $44,772 (2019) to $54,031 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,616 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North 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) | $35,601 – $43,741 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,741 – $55,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,684 – $71,276 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,276 – $85,990 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in North Little Rock
When evaluating the job market for police officers in North Little Rock, it's notable that only 15 police officers are currently employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 86.9, which favors a modest purchasing power for officers compared to national averages. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive pay, but federal positions often provide higher compensation, especially when factoring in overtime. The discrepancy between starting and top-tier wages can be attributed to various factors, including agency type, overtime structures, and specialized unit assignments. For those in the North Little Rock market, securing a position with a focus on educational incentives or seeking out special assignments can effectively maximize salary potential, paving the way for a more lucrative career trajectory.
More salary data for North 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 $54,031 for police officersin the North 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
Salary data for North Little Rock 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