Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Arkansas
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Arkansas earn a median of $47,670 a year ($22.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,190 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $76,210. Arkansas ranks 50th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.4 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| 25th percentile | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Median | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| 75th percentile | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,190 | $33.75 |
| Average (mean) | $49,850 | $23.96 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,972.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,986.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,833.46 |
| Weekly | $916.73 |
| Hourly | $22.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $75,410 | 3,630 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $57,180 | 400 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $54,840 | 1,520 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $53,420 | 870 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $51,070 | 400 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $49,570 | 230 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $44,850 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Bailiff | $45,090 | $21.68 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $72,200 | $34.71 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| Security Guard | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Firefighter | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,000 | $12.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Arkansas?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Arkansas is $47,670 a year, or $22.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Arkansas earn at least $70,190 a year. The top 25% earn $56,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,210 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $40,100 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Arkansas?
About 5,710 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.