Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $75,410 a year ($36.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,480 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 27% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $59,280. There are 5.9 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,880, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,060 | $22.62 |
| 25th percentile | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Median | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| 75th percentile | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Average (mean) | $66,880 | $32.16 |
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 | $6,284.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,142.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,900.38 |
| Weekly | $1,450.19 |
| Hourly | $36.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $68,780 | 4,730 |
| Cleveland, TN | $58,800 | 250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,610 | 730 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $57,180 | 400 |
| Knoxville, TN | $56,380 | 1,860 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $54,840 | 1,520 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $53,420 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $53,320 | 460 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,330 | 730 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $51,070 | 400 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $49,570 | 230 |
| Jackson, MS | $49,160 | 1,620 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,710 | 310 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,620 | 690 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $48,050 | 1,000 |
| Johnson City, TN | $46,560 | 340 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $44,850 | 140 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $44,080 | 440 |
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 or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| Security Guard | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Firefighter | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,260 | $13.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $99,680 | $47.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $75,410 a year, or $36.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $79,480 a year. The top 25% earn $75,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,060 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $58,700 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 3,630 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.