Tennessee Median
$59,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#43 of 51
15,630 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in Tennessee?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $59,280 per year, or about $28.50 per hour. That is 22% below the national median of $76,210 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $43,520 while the top 10% make $79,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,710 and $75,410 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,520 | $20.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,710 | $23.42 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,280 | $28.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $75,410 | $36.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,480 | $38.21 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other states
California $118,880Washington $102,080Illinois $100,520Alaska $99,130Colorado $97,350Delaware $92,970New York $92,790New Jersey $92,610District of Columbia $88,650Oregon $88,140Pennsylvania $85,470Hawaii $83,820Minnesota $83,360Connecticut $82,170Massachusetts $78,940Arizona $78,880Nevada $78,140Wisconsin $78,090Maryland $77,970Utah $77,310Rhode Island $77,230Ohio $77,020Texas $75,900Nebraska $74,620North Dakota $74,500Florida $74,470Iowa $74,470Michigan $73,730Indiana $73,370New Hampshire $71,640Montana $70,050New Mexico $69,180Vermont $68,910Maine $67,050Idaho $66,990Wyoming $66,140Virginia $65,870South Dakota $60,740Kentucky $60,490Oklahoma $59,700Missouri $59,460North Carolina $59,300Kansas $59,230Georgia $58,120South Carolina $58,070West Virginia $56,960Alabama $51,270Louisiana $48,380Arkansas $47,670Mississippi $46,140
Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Tennessee
Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($59,280) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in Tennessee?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Tennessee is $59,280 per year, or about $28.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,520 at the entry level to $79,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 22% less than the national median of $76,210. Tennessee ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,280 a year. About 15,630 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.