How much does a Police Officer make in Arkansas?

BLS puts the average Police Officer pay in Arkansas at $49,850 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Arkansas, after federal taxes, FICA, and Arkansas state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $40,878 annually ($3,406/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Police Officer in Arkansas?

On a $49,850 salary in Arkansas, your take-home pay is approximately $40,878/year or $3,406/month. Federal tax: $3,802. State tax: $1,357. FICA: $3,814.

Is $49,850 a good Police Officer salary?

$49,850 is the BLS average Police Officer pay in Arkansas, 37% below the US average of $79,200 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Arkansas earn between $40,100 and $56,720.

How do Arkansas taxes affect Police Officer salaries?

Arkansas levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $49,850 is $1,357. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 18.0%.

What are the career growth prospects for Police Officers?

In Arkansas, the top 10% earn over $70,190 and the bottom 10% under $35,210 (BLS, May 2025). 3% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Detective, Sergeant, State Trooper, Sheriff Deputy, Federal Agent.

How can a Police Officer in Arkansas reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Public Safety

Police Officer Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Average Police Officer pay in Arkansas

$49,850/year

≈ $24/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $40,100–$56,720

US average: $79,200

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$40,878/year

$3,406/month · effective tax rate 18.0%

Federal $3,802
State $1,357
FICA $3,814
Take-home

Pay by role in Arkansas

Sergeant / Lieutenant / Captain (Little Rock metro)BLS · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR · middle 50%$62,290–$92,630
Senior Patrol / Specialty OfficerBLS · 75th–90th percentile$56,720–$70,190
Detective / InvestigatorBLS · middle 50%$46,300–$66,820
Patrol Officer / Trooper / DeputyBLS · middle 50%$40,100–$56,720
Recruit / Probationary OfficerBLS · 10th–25th percentile$35,210–$40,100

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$40,878
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$3,406
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$1,572
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$20/hr
Federal Tax	$3,802
State Tax	$1,357
FICA Taxes	$3,814
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	18.0%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Police Officers earn the same — not even close

Arkansas's police officer market is anchored by Little Rock Police Department (~430 sworn officers + the largest AR municipal police + the substantial Little Rock state capital market + the substantial Little Rock post-2020 reform + LRPD Major Crimes + the substantial post-2020 Little Rock recruitment + retention challenges), Arkansas State Police ASP (~580 sworn troopers within AR State Police division + the substantial AR statewide police agency + ASP Criminal Investigation Division + ASP SWAT + ASP K-9 + ASP Aviation + the substantial ASP I-30 + I-40 + I-49 + I-440 interstate patrol + the substantial ASP covering vast AR rural territory), North Little Rock Police Department (~165 sworn + the substantial North Little Rock + Levy + Argenta), Fort Smith Police Department (~140 sworn + the substantial Fort Smith Whirlpool + ArcBest + the substantial Fort Smith historic 1817 founding), Fayetteville Police Department (~135 sworn + the substantial U of A University of Arkansas + the substantial Fayetteville post-2020 housing growth), Springdale Police Department (~130 sworn + Tyson Foods + the substantial Northwest Arkansas growth), Bentonville Police Department (~95 sworn + Walmart HQ + the substantial Bentonville post-2020 Walmart vendor UHNW growth + the substantial Bentonville Crystal Bridges + the substantial Walton family security), Rogers Police Department (~140 sworn + the substantial Rogers Pinnacle Hills + JB Hunt Lowell area), Jonesboro PD + Hot Springs PD + Pine Bluff PD + Conway PD + Cabot PD + the substantial AR smaller municipal departments + Pulaski County Sheriff Little Rock + Washington County Sheriff Fayetteville + Benton County Sheriff Bentonville + Sebastian County Sheriff Fort Smith + Garland County Sheriff Hot Springs + the substantial AR rural sheriff offices, plus substantial federal law enforcement at FBI Little Rock + DEA Little Rock + ATF + USMS + the substantial Little Rock AFB OSI + Security Forces + the substantial Pine Bluff Arsenal cleared security.

Sergeant / Lieutenant / Captain (Little Rock metro)

$62,290–$92,630

Senior officer + sergeant at LRPD · APERS Public Safety + AR right-to-work · OT + detail

Source: BLS May 2025 · First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR · middle 50%

Senior Patrol / Specialty Officer

$56,720–$70,190

Senior trooper at ASP · Criminal Investigation Division + SWAT + K-9 + Aviation + I-30 + I-40 interstate

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Arkansas · 75th–90th percentile

Detective / Investigator

$46,300–$66,820

Senior detective at LRPD + ASP + Fort Smith PD + Bentonville PD · investigations + casework + APERS

Source: BLS May 2025 · Detectives and Criminal Investigators · Arkansas · middle 50%

Patrol Officer / Trooper / Deputy

$40,100–$56,720

Mid-career officer · APERS Public Safety membership · CLEST Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training certified

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Arkansas · middle 50%

Recruit / Probationary Officer

$35,210–$40,100

New officer · post-academy + field training · CLEST certified · APERS at hire

Source: BLS May 2025 · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers · Arkansas · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System APERS + AR State Police Retirement ASRS + AR IS a Right-to-Work state (1944 — one of the earliest US RTW states alongside FL) is the structural foundation of AR career police compensation and a distinctive AR police officer feature most national surveys understate. APERS (the AR statewide public pension covering ~180K active + retired APERS members + the substantial APLFR Arkansas Local Police & Fire Retirement Plan + ASRS Arkansas State Police Retirement System separate + the substantial APERS defined-benefit + the substantial APERS funded ratio above 80%) provides protective service pension at AR public-safety formula appreciably more generous than APERS State + Local Government — supporting career police retirement after 25 years. AR IS a Right-to-Work state (signed 1944 + one of the substantial earliest US RTW states alongside FL + the substantial AR Amendment 34 1944 constitutional RTW) — meaning collective bargaining for public-sector employees is significantly limited; the substantial AR Fraternal Order of Police FOP + Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police Lodge + Arkansas State Troopers Association ASTA + the substantial AR CLEST Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training certification operate via professional associations rather than formal collective bargaining. Bentonville + Rogers NW Arkansas police (the substantial Bentonville Walmart HQ + Crystal Bridges + the substantial Walton family security + the substantial Rogers Pinnacle Hills + the substantial post-2020 NW Arkansas Walmart vendor UHNW migration calls-for-service growth) supports unique AR wealthy-suburb police market — Bentonville senior officers clear $62-92K. Little Rock AFB Security Forces (the substantial 314th Security Forces Squadron + the substantial Little Rock AFB C-130 force protection + the substantial Little Rock AFB cleared facility security) + Pine Bluff Arsenal cleared security (the substantial Pine Bluff Arsenal chemical weapons demilitarization security + the substantial Pine Bluff cleared facility) supports specialized AR federal cleared LE work. Post-2020 Little Rock + Fort Smith + Pine Bluff recruitment + retention challenges drove substantial signing bonus + retention bonus + lateral transfer incentives — LRPD post-2022 offered $10K-$15K lateral signing bonuses to certified officers. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028 — AR OBBBA OT applies to officer overtime + detail . AR progressive 2.0-3.9% (post-2024 reductions) + AR 6.5% sales tax + AR NO estate tax + AR IS a Right-to-Work state + APERS Public Safety + ASP Retirement + Little Rock AFB Security Forces + Pine Bluff Arsenal cleared security anchor the AR police officer proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Police Officers in Arkansas and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Arkansas 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers