Police Officer Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $55,462 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $55,462/year (≈ $26.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $60,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the projected police officer salary in 2026 indicates a median income of $55,462. This figure reflects a significant variance in compensation across the ranks, with earnings ranging from $34,382 at the 10th percentile to as high as $83,938 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, highlight how municipal, state, and federal law enforcement salaries can differ markedly. While Oak Ridge's pay may appear lower than the national median of $78,542, it is crucial to consider the cost of living, which stands at a favorable index of 91.8. This makes Oak Ridge an attractive location for law enforcement careers, especially for those considering the federal versus state or local structural choices.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,382 | $16.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,629 | $20.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,462 | $26.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,743 | $33.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,938 | $40.36 |
Median Salary Position
29.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,556 (2026 est.). At $55,462, the local median is 29.39% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Police Officer Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $55,462/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $56,536 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -29.39% less |
Police Officers in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $55,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.39% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $56,536.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge 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.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $55,462 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,416 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,593
2025 BLS Actual
$53,815
2026 Current Est.
$55,462
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,624 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,815 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,159 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $44,593 (2019) to $53,815 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,566 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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) | $34,382 – $42,629 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,629 – $55,462 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,462 – $69,743 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,743 – $83,938 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Oak Ridge
As of now, there are six police officers employed in Oak Ridge, indicating a localized job market with limited but stable positions available. The cost-of-living index suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, officers will find their purchasing power to be relatively adequate, allowing residents to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Among local employers, the municipal police department generally offers competitive compensation, though higher salaries can often be found in federal roles such as the FBI or other federal law enforcement agencies. The spread in pay can be attributed to varying agency types and the benefits tied to union contracts, overtime structures, and educational incentives. Officers who aim to maximize their income in this market should consider pursuing specialized assignments or additional certifications, as urban positions typically offer advantages such as overtime pay and step increases linked to advanced training.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 $53,815 for police officersin the Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge 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