Police Officer Salary in Tennessee: $66,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $66,476/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,414 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Memphis ($75,410), Nashville ($68,780), Franklin ($67,952).
In 2026, police officers in Tennessee are projected to earn an average median salary of $66,476, which is notably lower than the national median of $78,542, creating a salary gap of 15.4%. The highest paying city for police officers in Tennessee is Memphis, where salaries are projected to reach $77,718, while the lowest is Johnson City at $47,985, resulting in a difference of $29,733. This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, local government budgets, and demand for law enforcement in different regions. Tennessee imposes specific licensing requirements for police officers, along with state-wide scope of practice laws that can influence job responsibilities and, in turn, salaries. The job market for police officers in the state is projected to grow at an annual CAGR of 3.06%, reflecting an ongoing demand for law enforcement professionals across the 30 metro areas. Top salaries can also be found in cities like Nashville ($70,885), Franklin ($70,031), and Murfreesboro ($69,628), which indicates that urban areas typically offer higher pay due to increased living costs and population density. Understanding these dynamics can help prospective officers strategize their career paths within the state.
Tennessee Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $33,141 (lowest entry-level) to $106,662 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee police officers earn 15.36% less than the national median ($-12,066/year difference).
Tennessee Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Tennessee range from $47,786 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,662 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,476. The Tennessee median is $12,066 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $31.96/hr. Approximately 13,932 police officers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,239
2025 BLS Actual
$64,502
2026 Current Est.
$66,476
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,239 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,872 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,237 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,569 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,475 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,510 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 36.5% from $47,239 (2019) to $64,502 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,510 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,271 (45.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnson City | $47,985 |
| Kingsport | $50,108 |
| Morristown | $50,201 |
| Tullahoma | $52,229 |
| Chattanooga | $52,901 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $77,718 | 92.179 | $84,312 |
| Franklin | $70,031 | 91.8 | $76,286 |
| Murfreesboro | $69,628 | 91.8 | $75,847 |
| Nashville | $70,885 | 96.338 | $73,579 |
| Cleveland | $60,599 | 88.08 | $68,800 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,786 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,476 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,662 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $77,718 |
| 2 | Nashville | $70,885 |
| 3 | Franklin | $70,031 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $69,628 |
| 5 | Cleveland | $60,599 |
| 6 | Clarksville | $59,373 |
| 7 | Knoxville | $58,105 |
| 8 | Smyrna | $57,139 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $56,852 |
| 10 | Collierville | $56,655 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $56,220 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $55,467 |
| 13 | Oak Ridge | $55,462 |
| 14 | Columbia | $55,089 |
| 15 | Germantown | $55,019 |
| 16 | Jackson | $54,952 |
| 17 | Hendersonville | $54,908 |
| 18 | Gallatin | $54,812 |
| 19 | Brentwood | $54,528 |
| 20 | Shelbyville | $54,103 |
| 21 | Mount Juliet | $54,102 |
| 22 | La Vergne | $53,988 |
| 23 | Cookeville | $53,712 |
| 24 | Maryville | $53,677 |
| 25 | Sevierville | $53,369 |
| 26 | Chattanooga | $52,901 |
| 27 | Tullahoma | $52,229 |
| 28 | Morristown | $50,201 |
| 29 | Kingsport | $50,108 |
| 30 | Johnson City | $47,985 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Tennessee?
How many police officers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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