Police Officer Salary in Knoxville, TN: $58,105 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Knoxville, TN earns a median $58,105/year (≈ $27.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $62,769 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, TN, the projected pay for police officers in 2026 is estimated to reach a median annual salary of $58,105, reflecting a substantial gap when compared to the national median of $78,542. The full salary range for officers in the region spans from $45,171 at the 10th percentile to $79,758 at the 90th percentile, according to data sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. This variation highlights the competitive nature of law enforcement salaries, influenced by agency type, with federal roles generally offering higher compensation compared to municipal positions. As officers weigh their career prospects, understanding the local dynamics of police officer pay in Knoxville is crucial for making informed decisions about their future in law enforcement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,171 | $21.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,005 | $23.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,105 | $27.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,474 | $31.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,758 | $38.35 |
Median Salary Position
26.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,587 (2026 est.). At $58,105, the local median is 26.02% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Police Officer Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $58,105/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $56,523 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -26.02% less |
Police Officers in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $58,105 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.02% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.80% above the Tennessee state average of $56,523.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $58,105 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,769 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,560
2025 BLS Actual
$56,380
2026 Current Est.
$58,105
2019–2027 Growth
+51.4%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,105 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 42.5% from $39,560 (2019) to $56,380 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,323 (51.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $45,171 – $49,005 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,005 – $58,105 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,105 – $64,474 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,474 – $79,758 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Knoxville
With approximately 1,860 police officers currently employed in Knoxville, the local job market for law enforcement remains robust. The cost-of-living index for the city stands at 92.569, indicating a lower-than-average cost compared to national standards, which can positively influence officers' take-home pay. Among employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, yet federal agencies like the FBI and DEA pay significantly more, attracting talent seeking lucrative opportunities. The considerable wage range in Knoxville can be attributed to factors such as agency type, shift differentials, overtime structures, and special unit assignments, which all enhance earning potential. Newcomers and current officers alike should consider pursuing advanced training, overtime opportunities, and special assignments to maximize their police officer pay in Knoxville, TN.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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 $56,380 for police officersin the Knoxville 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