Police Officer Salary in Cleveland, TN: $60,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Cleveland, TN earns a median $60,599/year (≈ $29.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $68,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, TN, the current compensation for police officers presents a detailed picture of earnings that reflects local economic conditions and overtime opportunities. With a projected median annual salary of $60,599 for 2026, officers can expect to see a salary range from $44,007 to $77,130. The pay structure is influenced by mandatory overtime, especially from court appearances and special details, which enhances the overall earning potential for officers in this jurisdiction. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, indicating a robust framework for understanding how much do police officers make in Cleveland compared to national standards, where the average exceeds $78,000.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,007 | $21.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,809 | $23.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,599 | $29.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,104 | $29.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,130 | $37.08 |
Median Salary Position
22.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,123 (2026 est.). At $60,599, the local median is 22.85% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Police Officer Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $60,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $56,529 | +7.20% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -22.85% less |
Police Officers in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $60,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.85% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% above the Tennessee state average of $56,529.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 11.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $60,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,800 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,090
2025 BLS Actual
$58,800
2026 Current Est.
$60,599
2019–2027 Growth
+59.8%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 50.4% from $39,090 (2019) to $58,800 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,364 (59.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $44,007 – $49,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,809 – $60,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,599 – $62,104 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,104 – $77,130 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Cleveland
Considering the local job market, around 250 police officers serve in Cleveland, creating a competitive environment for those seeking employment in law enforcement. The cost of living index in Cleveland, at 88.08, suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable due to lower living expenses. Among employers, municipal police departments typically provide the most competitive pay, while federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI offer even higher salaries, often paired with additional benefits and overtime opportunities. The differences in pay can also be attributed to various factors including agency type, overtime structures, and educational incentives. For officers looking to maximize their compensation, pursuing special assignments or additional training can lead to higher pay grades, making it advantageous for Cleveland officers to focus on continuing education and exploring varied roles within law enforcement.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 $58,800 for police officersin the Cleveland 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