Police Officer Salary in Tahlequah, OK: $67,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Tahlequah, OK earns a median $67,029/year (≈ $32.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Tahlequah's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $75,398 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for police officers in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is projected to be $67,029. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542, highlighting the local market's compensation challenges. Officers can expect salaries ranging from $44,285 at the 10th percentile to $93,236 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in experience and specific role assignments within law enforcement. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors. Despite the lower median salary, the retirement compensation structure, particularly the pension multiplier, can enhance overall lifetime earnings, potentially impacting many officers and their families positively.
About the Tahlequah Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,285 | $21.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,146 | $25.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,029 | $32.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,736 | $40.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,236 | $44.82 |
Median Salary Position
14.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tahlequah
In Tahlequah, OK, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,951 (2026 est.). At $67,029, the local median is 14.66% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tahlequah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tahlequah Police Officer Pay Compares
Tahlequah median: $67,029/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tahlequah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $69,822 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -14.66% less |
Police Officers in Tahlequah, OK earn a median of $67,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.00% below the Oklahoma state average of $69,822.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tahlequah has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tahlequah, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $67,029 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,398 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,893
2025 BLS Actual
$65,039
2026 Current Est.
$67,029
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Tahlequah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,893 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,933 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,139 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,377 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,080 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tahlequah metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $53,893 (2019) to $65,039 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,080 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,187 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tahlequah 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) | $44,285 – $53,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,146 – $67,029 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,029 – $83,736 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,736 – $93,236 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Tahlequah
Tahlequah's law enforcement job market employs only four police officers. This limited number can create a competitive environment where upward mobility opportunities may arise. However, the cost of living in the city, with an index of 88.9, suggests that salaries stretch further here than in many other regions. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide higher compensation than county sheriff's offices or state police. Factors that influence the salary range include agency type, union contracts, overtime opportunities, and special unit assignments. Officers seeking to boost their police officer pay in Tahlequah, OK, may benefit from pursuing specialized training, engaging in overtime, or taking on roles within specialized units that offer stipends. As the projected growth rate of 3.06% annually demonstrates, there are potential earnings opportunities on the horizon for those willing to invest in their professional development and diversify their skill set.
More salary data for Tahlequah, OK:
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 $65,039 for police officersin the Tahlequah 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 Tahlequah 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