Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a deputy sheriff in Tennessee
Deputy sheriffs in Tennessee meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST), Department of Commerce and Insurance: age 18+, 488-hour academy. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for Tennessee.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Tennessee, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in Tennessee, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | TN |
|---|---|
| Workers | 15,630 |
| 10th percentile | $43,520 |
| Median | $59,280 |
| 90th percentile | $79,480 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in Tennessee
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCRS Political Subdivision Plans (Legacy, Hybrid with or without Cost Controls, Alternate Defined Benefit) Plan adopted by the employer | — | Legacy Plan: age 60 with 5 years, or 30 years of service [per-employer choice] | Not published | Varies |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Tennessee pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in Tennessee
94 sheriff's offices in Tennessee.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Tennessee
Tennessee POST Peace Officer Certification ExamTennessee exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Deputy Sheriff page.
Deputy Sheriff in other states
More government jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee government jobs · Tennessee public pension plans · police officer standards in Tennessee · exam practice in Tennessee