Updated 2026-10-09 · 8 of 384 Tennessee agencies publish starting pay

Highest paying police departments in Tennessee

Police officer salary in Tennessee by department, ranked by the starting pay each one states in a current posting. Median starting pay is $57,958, about $27.86/hr or $4,830/mo, below the national median of $69,347. 8 of these departments are hiring right now.

Median starting pay

$57,958

▼ 16% vs national $69,347

Highest starting pay

$66,305

Smyrna PD

Lowest on file

$47,319

Springfield PD

Median top-step pay

$68,879

8 departments publish a top step

Every Tennessee department by starting pay

Highest first

Starting pay is the lowest advertised full-time figure for a sworn officer in each department's current posting, annualized. Top pay and lateral start appear where the posting states them. Click a department for the quoted source line and verification date.
Department	Area	Starting pay	Top pay	Lateral start	Status
1. Smyrna PD	Nashville Area	$66,305	$100,385	—	Hiring · 1
2. Metropolitan Nashville PD	Nashville Area	$66,204	$102,871	$81,114	Hiring · 7
3. Memphis PD	Memphis Area	$65,662	$82,821	—	Hiring · 2
4. Sevier County Sheriff	Sevierville Area	$58,203	$65,805	—	Hiring · 3
5. Clarksville PD	Clarksville Area	$57,712	$60,598	—	Hiring · 1
6. Hamilton County Sheriff	Chattanooga Area	$52,000	$63,240	—	Hiring · 3
7. Kingsport PD	Tri-Cities TN-VA	$49,275	$49,275	—	Hiring · 1
8. Springfield PD	Nashville Area	$47,319	$71,952	—	Hiring · 2

Hiring bonuses in Tennessee

All Tennessee bonuses

Hamilton County SheriffLaterals · paid in installments initially and at end of probationary period$8,000

Police jobs in Tennessee (22)Lateral police jobs in Tennessee Tennessee departments that don't require college (6)All Tennessee departments Starting pay by state

Highest paying police departments in Tennessee

Every Tennessee department by starting pay

Hiring bonuses in Tennessee

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