Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Tennessee
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Tennessee earn a median of $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,480 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $76,210. Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.8 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,520 | $20.93 |
| 25th percentile | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Median | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 75th percentile | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Average (mean) | $61,830 | $29.72 |
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 | $4,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280 |
| Weekly | $1,140 |
| Hourly | $28.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,280 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $75,410 | 3,630 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $68,780 | 4,730 |
| Cleveland, TN | $58,800 | 250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,610 | 730 |
| Knoxville, TN | $56,380 | 1,860 |
| Jackson, TN | $53,320 | 460 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $51,330 | 730 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,710 | 310 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,620 | 690 |
| Johnson City, TN | $46,560 | 340 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $75,930 | $36.51 |
| Bailiff | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| Security Guard | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Firefighter | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Tennessee is $59,280 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,520 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 Tennessee?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,520 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $48,710 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Tennessee?
About 15,630 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.