Police Officer Salary in Gallatin, TN: $54,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Gallatin, TN earns a median $54,812/year (≈ $26.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Gallatin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $59,708 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gallatin, Tennessee, the projected median salary for police officers in 2026 is set at $54,812. When compared nationally, this figure reflects a considerable gap as it is approximately 30.21% lower than the national median of $78,542. The upper and lower ends of the salary spectrum range from $33,141 for entry-level positions to $81,696 for seasoned officers, indicating a diverse compensation landscape shaped by various factors including experience and specialization. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living conditions, highlight how variations in agency type and regional demands influence officer pay. Gallatin’s job market for law enforcement remains robust, fostering a competitive environment for potential candidates.
About the Gallatin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,141 | $15.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,679 | $21.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,812 | $26.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,160 | $33.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,696 | $39.28 |
Median Salary Position
30.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gallatin
In Gallatin, TN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,555 (2026 est.). At $54,812, the local median is 30.21% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gallatin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gallatin Police Officer Pay Compares
Gallatin median: $54,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gallatin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $56,508 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -30.21% less |
Police Officers in Gallatin, TN earn a median of $54,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.21% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.00% below the Tennessee state average of $56,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gallatin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gallatin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $54,812 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,708 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,071
2025 BLS Actual
$53,185
2026 Current Est.
$54,812
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Gallatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,071 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,739 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,913 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,442 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,628 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,185 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,490 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gallatin metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $44,071 (2019) to $53,185 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,490 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,419 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gallatin 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) | $33,141 – $44,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,679 – $54,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,812 – $70,160 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,160 – $81,696 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Gallatin
The local law enforcement market employs just 11 police officers, which can impact job stability and opportunities for advancement. With a cost-of-living index at 91.8, salaries in Gallatin stretch further than in many urban centers, yet they still present challenges when juxtaposed with the broader U.S. landscape. Municipal police departments typically present the most consistent pay, although specialty roles such as federal law enforcement and transit authorities often yield the highest salaries due to their funding structures and overtime incentives. The disparity between lower and higher wages within local departments can be attributed to several factors, including shift differentials, educational pay enhancements, and the pension multiplier formula, which greatly influences long-term compensation. For those seeking to optimize their earnings in Gallatin TN, pursuing specialized assignments or educational advancement may serve as effective strategies to maximize police officer pay in this region.
More salary data for Gallatin, 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 $53,185 for police officersin the Gallatin 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 Gallatin 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