Police Officer Hourly Pay in Emporia, KS: $31.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Emporia, KS runs $31.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,911 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Emporia's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,550 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Emporia, Kansas, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $31.69, which is noticeably lower than the national median hourly rate of $37.76. This difference highlights the financial realities for law enforcement professionals in this region, impacting budgeting for part-time or per-diem work. Those opting for part-time positions—working three days a week for a total of 24 hours—can expect earnings significantly below their full-time counterparts, limiting their financial flexibility. For entry-level officers in the city, hourly wages range from $21.52, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $45.74, demonstrating the potential for advancement in one's career in varied settings, including routine patrol duties, specialized operations, and community policing initiatives.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.52 | $172.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.55 | $204.39 |
| Median (P50) | $31.69 | $253.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.04 | $320.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.74 | $365.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Emporia
Based on $31.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.69/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Emporia, KS can expect to earn approximately $65,917 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,029. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Emporia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Emporia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,267.64 | $5,493 | $65,917 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $760.58 | $3,296 | $39,550 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.06 | $2,197 | $26,367 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Emporia) | $31.69 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Emporia, KS earn a median of $65,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $71,410.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.69/hr = $39,550/year (purchasing power: $43,510).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,917/year (purchasing power: $72,516).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Emporia grew 20.7% from $25.48/hr (2019) to $30.75/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Emporia
Exploring the earning potential for part-time officers working in Emporia reveals just how pivotal hourly pay can be, especially when considering a 24-hour workweek. For those pursuing agency roles or seeking per diem police officer pay in Emporia, the trade-offs may include a lack of benefits that full-time positions typically offer, such as health insurance, which may dictate their pay acceptance. Additionally, understanding overtime pay dynamics—often at 1.5 times the base rate for court appearances and special assignments—can significantly increase overall earnings. There's also the commonality of off-duty assignments, which tend to pay cash rates between $35 and $75 per hour. Variances in hourly compensation can occur across different law enforcement roles in Emporia, such as municipal departments versus federal agencies, impacting career decisions. The negotiation process can enhance hourly compensation; officers should consider their total benefits and potential overtime when assessing their true value in the job market.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Emporia in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Emporia?
Are police officers in Emporia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Emporia?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Emporia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Emporia. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Emporia is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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