Police Officer Salary in Pine Bluff, AR: $51,374 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Pine Bluff, AR earns a median $51,374/year (≈ $24.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Pine Bluff's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $59,119 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pine Bluff, AR, police officer salaries present a unique picture, especially when considering the economics of mandatory overtime for court appearances and special details. The projected median annual pay stands at $51,374, significantly lower than the national median of $78,542, reflecting a local salary range from $31,570 for entry-level positions to $77,106 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, highlight how overtime can effectively boost earnings for officers in the region. Given the dynamics of Pine Bluff's job market, with only eight police officers currently employed, understanding these salary structures and opportunities for additional income becomes crucial for those pursuing a career in law enforcement.
About the Pine Bluff Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,570 | $15.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,162 | $18.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,374 | $24.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,759 | $31.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,106 | $37.07 |
Median Salary Position
34.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pine Bluff
In Pine Bluff, AR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,536 (2026 est.). At $51,374, the local median is 34.59% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pine Bluff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pine Bluff Police Officer Pay Compares
Pine Bluff median: $51,374/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pine Bluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $52,638 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -34.59% less |
Police Officers in Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $51,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.59% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $52,638.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pine Bluff 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.
Pine Bluff, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $51,374 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,119 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,140
2025 BLS Actual
$49,849
2026 Current Est.
$51,374
2019–2027 Growth
+38.8%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,374 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,946 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pine Bluff metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 30.7% from $38,140 (2019) to $49,849 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,946 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,806 (38.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pine Bluff 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) | $31,570 – $39,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,162 – $51,374 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,374 – $65,759 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,759 – $77,106 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Pine Bluff
Looking beyond basic salary figures, the cost of living in Pine Bluff significantly influences a police officer's take-home purchasing power, with a CoL index of 86.9 indicating a lower cost environment than the national average. For competitive compensation, municipal police departments within the area generally offer the highest salaries compared to county sheriff's offices and federal roles, such as ATF or FBI positions that appeal to those seeking more lucrative pay bands. The variation in police officer pay in Pine Bluff AR can be attributed to several factors, including agency type, overtime structures, and special assignments that come with additional stipends. To enhance earnings, officers are encouraged to aim for specialized units or explore educational incentives, such as obtaining advanced degrees that often yield salary increases. Understanding these elements could empower officers to maximize their salaries and benefits within this specific market.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, 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 $49,849 for police officersin the Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff 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