Police Officer Salary in Knoxville, TN: $57,895 (2026)

Police Officer Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median police officer salary of $57,895, which is $658 below the Tennessee state average of $58,553. Compared to the national median of $65,790, Knoxville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Knoxville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $57,895 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $65,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for police officers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for police officers in Knoxville spans from $35,552 at the 10th percentile to $93,280 at the 90th percentile — a $57,728 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,960, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $86,240. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Police Officer Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level police officer earns around $36,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $86,240 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$36,960

$-5,040 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$58,080

$-7,920 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$86,240

$-11,760 vs national

Percentile	Knoxville	TN State	National
10th Percentile	$35,552	$35,956	$40,400
25th Percentile	$45,056	$45,568	$51,200
Median (50th)	$57,895	$58,553	$65,790
75th Percentile	$76,736	$77,608	$87,200
90th Percentile	$93,280	$94,340	$106,000

Percentile

Knoxville

10th Percentile

$35,552

25th Percentile

$45,056

Median (50th)

$57,895

75th Percentile

$76,736

90th Percentile

$93,280

How to Become a Police Officer in Knoxville

Education

Most police officer positions require a high school diploma. Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Law EnforcementEmergency ResponseReport WritingDe-escalationPhysical FitnessCommunity Policing

Job Outlook

Nationally, police officer employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Police Officer make in Knoxville, TN? ▼

The median police officer salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $57,895 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $35,552 (10th percentile) to $93,280 (90th percentile).

How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Knoxville? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $57,895, a police officer in Knoxville earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for police officer pay? ▼

Knoxville's median police officer salary of $57,895 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $58,553. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN? ▼

Knoxville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a police officer salary of $57,895 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Knoxville? ▼

Most police officer positions in Knoxville require a high school diploma. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Emergency Response, Report Writing, De-escalation. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.

Police Officer Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee