How to become a state trooper in Tennessee
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (Department of Safety & Homeland Security) hires state troopers under the title State Trooper. New state troopers start at $75,600 a year. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $75,600 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
THP salary section: 'entry level salary for the position of a trooper entering the academy is $6,300 per month or $75,600 a year' (same rate in academy and as entry trooper); 'with regular pay increases, a trooper can earn $112,344 per year after 10 years of service under the current pay structure' (a 10-year figure, not stated as the top step). Lateral troopers: $6,300/mo in academy, $6,584/mo ($79,008/yr) after graduation. The same page's FAQ still shows older figures ($5,417/mo = $65,004; $96,600 after 10 years). Raises are statutory, funded by the General Assembly.
Source:[tn.gov]
Pay for this work across Tennessee
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Tennessee, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 15,630 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $43,520 |
| Median pay | $59,280 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $79,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma (recognized by the state Department of Education) or equivalency, per POST rule 1110-2-.03(1)(c)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, or permanent legal resident who is an honorably discharged U.S. armed forces veteran (T.C.A. 38-8-105(d))
- At least 21 years of age on the date of application
- Valid driver license; out-of-state applicants must obtain a Tennessee license upon academy graduation
- Vision: uncorrected no worse than 20/100; corrected 20/20 in one eye and not worse than 20/30 in the other; not color blind
- No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor (incl. DUI) or controlled substances
- Honorable discharge if prior military (DD-214)
- Need not be a resident to apply, but must live in Tennessee if hired (adjoining county to assignment allowed)
- Tattoos must be covered at all times; 18-month probation
Source:[tn.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply online during an announced class application period (Edison careers portal)
- Department of Human Resources qualification review (notified by email)
- Timed challenge / physical agility test at the Training Center in Donelson
- Interview
- Level 2 background investigation incl. credit check, fingerprints and polygraph
- Medical, physical and psychological examinations with drug screening in Nashville
- 17-week academy, then 10-week field training (FTO) program
Source:[tn.gov]
Academy
17 weeks, paid. 17 weeks of military-style training at the Department of Safety Training Center, Nashville (Donelson); residential on campus, home most weekends. POST-certified laterals attend up to 11 weeks. Paid at the $6,300/month entry rate.[tn.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) Hybrid Plan with Cost Controls (state new hires on/after July 1, 2014) plus State 401(k)
- Benefit formula: 1.0% of AFC × years of creditable service (accrual may be reduced under Hybrid Plan cost controls)
- When you can retire: Hybrid Plan members covered by mandatory retirement (T.C.A. 8-36-205, incl. THP): unreduced at age 60 with 5 years of service, or any age with 30 years; mandatory retirement at age 60
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Source:[codes.findlaw.com]