Manhattan vs Prairie Village: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Manhattan, KS and Prairie Village, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Manhattan, KS | Prairie Village, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $53,818 | $67,044▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $25.88 | $32.24▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,048 | $47,171▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $49,634 | $55,461▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $65,690 | $84,497▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $78,645 | $96,755▲ |
| Total Employed | 280▲ | 6 |
Verdict
Prairie Village, KS offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manhattan.
The salary gap between Manhattan and Prairie Village is $13,226 (24.58%). Prairie Village's median is -14.64% compared to the US national median of $78,542.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Manhattan spans $34,597,Prairie Village spans $49,584. Prairie Village has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Prairie Village ($73,756 effective) pays 23.56% more than Manhattan ($59,690 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Manhattan if…
- ✓Larger job market (280 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle
Choose Prairie Village if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($67,044/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($96,755)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,756)
- ✓You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Manhattan grew 5.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.6% growth in Prairie Village over the same period.
Manhattan, KS
$49,290 (2019) → $52,220 (2025)
Prairie Village, KS
$46,948 (2024) → $65,053 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Manhattan, KS
Prairie Village, KS
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays police officers more: Manhattan or Prairie Village?
What is the hourly rate difference between Manhattan and Prairie Village?
Should I relocate from Manhattan to Prairie Village as a police officer?
What do entry-level police officers earn in Manhattan vs Prairie Village?
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