Police Officer Salary

Jeffersontown vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Jeffersontown, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jeffersontown, KY
$59,735
$28.72/hr
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$65,155
$31.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJeffersontown, KYLouisville/Jefferson County, KY
Median Salary$59,735$65,155
Hourly Rate$28.72$31.32
Entry Level (P10)$38,915$48,418
25th Percentile$47,165$59,393
75th Percentile$76,375$75,471
Top Earner (P90)$88,569$80,356
Total Employed52,270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jeffersontown ($59,735) and Louisville/Jefferson County ($65,155) police officer salaries.JeffersontownLouisville/Jefferson CountyMedian Salary$59,735$65,155Entry Level (P10)$38,915$48,418Top Earner (P90)$88,569$80,356US Median $78,542

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersontown.

The salary gap between Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County is $5,420 (9.07%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -17.04% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jeffersontown spans $49,654,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $31,938. Jeffersontown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jeffersontown
P10 (Entry)$38,915
P25$47,165
Median$59,735
P75$76,375
P90 (Top)$88,569
Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$48,418
P25$59,393
Median$65,155
P75$75,471
P90 (Top)$80,356

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($70,003 effective) pays 4.65% more than Jeffersontown ($66,892 effective).

Jeffersontown
Nominal: $59,735
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $66,892
Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $65,155
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $70,003

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jeffersontown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,569)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,155/year)
  • Larger job market (2,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,003)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Jeffersontown grew 31.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.6% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.

Jeffersontown, KY

+31.5%

$44,083 (2024) → $57,961 (2025)

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+10.6%

$57,150 (2019) → $63,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Jeffersontown or Louisville/Jefferson County?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median police officer salary at $65,155/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $59,735/year — a difference of $5,420 (9.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County?

Jeffersontown police officers earn $28.72/hr while Louisville/Jefferson County hygienists earn $31.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jeffersontown to Louisville/Jefferson County as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jeffersontown = $66,892, Louisville/Jefferson County = $70,003), job availability (5 vs 2,270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Jeffersontown vs Louisville/Jefferson County?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $38,915 in Jeffersontown and $48,418 in Louisville/Jefferson County. The Louisville/Jefferson County area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov