Public Safety · Nashville, TN

Police Officer Salary in Nashville, TN (2026)

Median Police Officer salary in Nashville is approximately $68,300/year — 1.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Nashville

$68,300
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$33
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,627
Monthly
$5,692
Annual (gross)
$68,300
vs Tennessee state average
State avg: $63,500
+$4,800
vs US national
National median: $69,000
-$700

After-tax estimate

$53,513
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$68,300
Federal tax (~14%)
−$9,562
FICA (7.65%)
−$5,225
Tennessee state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$53,513
Monthly take-home
$4,459
For exact take-home, use our Nashville Paycheck Calculator.
Police Officer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Nashville
Dallas, TX0.99×$68,300+$0
Colorado Springs, CO0.99×$68,300+$0
Bakersfield, CA0.99×$68,300+$0
St. Petersburg, FL0.99×$68,300+$0
Madison, WI0.99×$68,300+$0
Other Public Safety jobs in Nashville

Police Officer salaries in Nashville, TN

The estimated median Police Officer salary in Nashville, Tennessee is $68,300/year, working out to approximately $33/hour at full-time, $2,627 per biweekly paycheck, or $5,692/month before taxes. Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.99× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Tennessee state average for this role ($63,500), Nashville pays about $4,800 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Nashville

Of the gross $68,300, you take home roughly $53,513 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Tennessee state income tax (none)
  • Nashville has no local income tax

That works out to about $4,459/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Nashville Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Nashville pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Nashville typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Nashville employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Police Officer Salary in Tennessee — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Nashville Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Police Officer salary in Nashville?
The estimated median Police Officer salary in Nashville, Tennessee is $68,300 per year, or approximately $33/hour at standard full-time. Nashville sits 1.0% below the US national average for this role.
Nashville vs Tennessee state — what's the salary difference?
Nashville: $68,300. Tennessee state average for Police Officer: $63,500. Difference: +$4,800 (7.6%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Nashville have a city income tax?
No, Nashville has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Tennessee state tax apply (Tennessee has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Nashville's cost of living relative to the US average. Nashville's multiplier is 0.99× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Police Officer in Nashville?
Estimate: $53,513/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Tennessee state tax (~0.0% effective), and Nashville local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Nashville Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.