Police Officer Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $52,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $52,901/year (≈ $25.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $57,838 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $52,901, a figure that shows a marked discrepancy when juxtaposed with the national average of $78,542. With salaries ranging from $46,088 at the lower end to $80,387 for the top earners, the data reflects a complex salary structure shaped in part by overtime requirements for court proceedings and special details. This aspect of law enforcement economics often leads to effective compensation enhancements, allowing officers to maximize their earnings through extended hours. The figures cited here are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrating the unique labor market dynamics at play within Chattanooga's policing landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,088 | $22.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,056 | $24.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,901 | $25.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,387 | $38.65 |
Median Salary Position
32.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,299 (2026 est.). At $52,901, the local median is 32.65% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chattanooga Police Officer Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $52,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $56,518 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -32.65% less |
Police Officers in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $52,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.65% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% below the Tennessee state average of $56,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $52,901 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,838 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,160
2025 BLS Actual
$51,330
2026 Current Est.
$52,901
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 21.8% from $42,160 (2019) to $51,330 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,359 (29.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $46,088 – $50,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,056 – $52,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,901 – $57,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,920 – $80,387 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Chattanooga
Examining the job market for police officers in Chattanooga reveals that approximately 730 individuals fill these roles, operating within a cost of living index of 91.464, which is below the national average of 100. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power for officers, potentially offsetting the otherwise lower salary averages compared to national standards. Among the various employers, municipal police departments generally offer competitive rates, while federal agencies tend to provide the highest salaries due to their broader jurisdiction and additional stipends. The pay differential in the area is influenced by factors such as agency type, overtime contracts, and special assignments, with opportunities for educational pay incentives and retirement benefits further shaping the overall compensation package. Officers seeking to enhance their pay can consider joining specialized units or strategically engaging in overtime opportunities, particularly during peak times or in specialized roles.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 $51,330 for police officersin the Chattanooga 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