Police Officer Hourly Pay in Hays, KS: $32.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Hays, KS runs $32.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,846 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Hays's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,103 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hays, Kansas, the projected median hourly pay for police officers in 2026 is $32.13. This figure falls notably short of the national median hourly rate of $37.76, suggesting a regional variance in compensation for law enforcement professionals. For those considering part-time work, such as a schedule spaced across three days a week, this hourly wage translates into critical financial planning, especially when working in specific environments like patrols, booking facilities, or during testimony in criminal cases. Police officers in Hays can expect to see hourly rates range from $22.55 for entry-level positions to $46.12 at the upper echelon, indicative of the potential for growth as experience and seniority accumulate. This hourly structure not only influences full-time salary expectations but also defines earnings for officers engaged in various duties within their departments.
About the Hays 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) | $22.55 | $180.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.47 | $211.73 |
| Median (P50) | $32.13 | $257.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.42 | $323.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.12 | $368.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hays
Based on $32.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.13/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hays, KS can expect to earn approximately $66,839 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,561. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hays.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hays
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,285.36 | $5,570 | $66,839 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $771.22 | $3,342 | $40,103 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $514.15 | $2,228 | $26,736 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Hays) | $32.13 |
| 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 Hays, KS earn a median of $66,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $71,416.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.13/hr = $40,103/year (purchasing power: $44,118).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,839/year (purchasing power: $73,530).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Hays grew 20.7% from $25.84/hr (2019) to $31.18/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.12/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 Hays 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 Hays
Additionally, assessing the earning potential for a part-time officer working 24 hours weekly reveals a significant difference compared to a full-time counterpart. Officers who work these hours can demonstrate an income that still provides for essential living expenses, yet they fall short of the security that full-time roles offer through overtime opportunities—often yielding substantial boosts to annual income through mandated court appearances and extended shifts at time-and-a-half rates. Many officers also take advantage of off-duty staffing, which can range from $35 to $75 per hour for specialized events. In Hays, distinctions in hourly pay can also be observed across different employer types, including municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, with varying benefits packages complicating individual choices. Some may opt for slightly lower hourly rates for comprehensive health insurance, while others may chase higher pay in positions that lack such benefits. Understanding negotiation tactics can serve officers well as they seek fair compensation in a changing economic environment.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Hays in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Hays?
Are police officers in Hays paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Hays?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Hays?
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 Hays. 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 Hays 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