Police Officer Salary in Kingsport, TN: $50,108 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kingsport, TN earns a median $50,108/year (≈ $24.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $57,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Kingsport, Tennessee can expect to earn a median annual salary of $50,108, a figure significantly below the national average of $78,542. The salary range for these officers stretches from $46,934 at the 10th percentile to $70,009 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a broad disparity in earnings based on experience and specific assignments. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, this data highlights the financial landscape for municipal police compared to federal and state law enforcement roles. The job market in Kingsport remains steady for police officers, driven by local demand, which continues to evolve amidst ongoing discussions surrounding law enforcement funding and community safety.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,934 | $22.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,934 | $22.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,108 | $24.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,136 | $27.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,009 | $33.66 |
Median Salary Position
36.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,075 (2026 est.). At $50,108, the local median is 36.2% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Kingsport Police Officer Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $50,108/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $56,555 | -11.40% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -36.20% less |
Police Officers in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $50,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.20% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 11.40% below the Tennessee state average of $56,555.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $50,108 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,964 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,560
2025 BLS Actual
$48,620
2026 Current Est.
$50,108
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,108 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 26.1% from $38,560 (2019) to $48,620 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,081 (33.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $46,934 – $46,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,934 – $50,108 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,108 – $57,136 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,136 – $70,009 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kingsport
With approximately 690 police officers employed in the Kingsport area, the local job market offers a stable employment environment. The cost-of-living index in Kingsport is estimated at 86.447, indicating it’s more affordable than the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for officers. Among the varied employers in the region, municipal police departments typically provide competitive salaries, but federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and DEA often lead in pay, reflecting the ranking of benefits associated with federal employment. The variance in police officer pay in Kingsport arises from factors like agency type, overtime structure, and specialized unit assignments, which can significantly impact overall compensation. Officers looking to maximize their earning potential may benefit from pursuing advanced training, educational incentives, or considering shifts with higher pay differentials, positioning themselves to capitalize on available opportunities while contributing to community solutions.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 $48,620 for police officersin the Kingsport 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