Police Officer Salary

Kenner vs New Orleans: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Kenner, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kenner, LA
$49,315
$23.71/hr
New Orleans, LA
$50,468
$24.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKenner, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$49,315$50,468
Hourly Rate$23.71$24.26
Entry Level (P10)$32,078$38,070
25th Percentile$38,998$46,964
75th Percentile$63,123$60,847
Top Earner (P90)$76,439$72,822
Total Employed112,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kenner ($49,315) and New Orleans ($50,468) police officer salaries.KennerNew OrleansMedian Salary$49,315$50,468Entry Level (P10)$32,078$38,070Top Earner (P90)$76,439$72,822US Median $78,542

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenner.

The salary gap between Kenner and New Orleans is $1,153 (2.34%). New Orleans's median is -35.74% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kenner spans $44,361,New Orleans spans $34,752. Kenner has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kenner
P10 (Entry)$32,078
P25$38,998
Median$49,315
P75$63,123
P90 (Top)$76,439
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$38,070
P25$46,964
Median$50,468
P75$60,847
P90 (Top)$72,822

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kenner ($54,612 effective) pays 0.20% more than New Orleans ($54,503 effective).

Kenner
Nominal: $49,315
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $54,612
New Orleans
Nominal: $50,468
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $54,503

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kenner if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($76,439)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,612)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,468/year)
  • Larger job market (2,040 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Kenner grew 4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.7% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Kenner, LA

+4.0%

$46,005 (2024) → $47,851 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+1.7%

$48,130 (2019) → $48,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Kenner or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median police officer salary at $50,468/year, compared to Kenner at $49,315/year — a difference of $1,153 (2.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kenner and New Orleans?

Kenner police officers earn $23.71/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $24.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kenner to New Orleans as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kenner and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kenner = $54,612, New Orleans = $54,503), job availability (11 vs 2,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Kenner vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $32,078 in Kenner and $38,070 in New Orleans. The New Orleans 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