Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $31.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kansas City, KS runs $31.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,299 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,177 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kansas City, Kansas, police officer hourly pay stands at a median of $31.39, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $37.76. This hourly rate can impact part-time and per-diem police officers, who may work in various settings such as patrol vehicles, police station report-writing rooms, and federal investigations. For those on a typical 24-hour work week, which equates to three days, this configuration allows for flexible scheduling but limits annual earnings compared to full-time positions. Entry-level officers can expect to earn around $18.39 per hour, while top earners might approach $47.60 per hour, reflecting a substantial range in the potential earnings of police officers in the area.
About the Kansas City 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) | $18.39 | $147.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.34 | $186.74 |
| Median (P50) | $31.39 | $251.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.18 | $321.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.60 | $380.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $31.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.39/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $65,296 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,670. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,255.68 | $5,441 | $65,296 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.41 | $3,265 | $39,177 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.27 | $2,177 | $26,118 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kansas City) | $31.39 |
| 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 Kansas City, KS earn a median of $65,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.86% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 8.50% below the Kansas state average of $71,365.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.39/hr = $39,177/year (purchasing power: $43,099).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,296/year (purchasing power: $71,832).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kansas City grew 20.7% from $25.24/hr (2019) to $30.46/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.35/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
For part-time officers taking home this hourly rate, annual earnings can differ greatly when compared to their full-time counterparts. With mandatory overtime common in police work, especially for court appearances and special details, a full-time officer can see their base pay augmented by an additional 20-50% in overtime pay. Per diem police officer pay in Kansas City can range significantly for off-duty assignments, with roles such as event security typically commanding $35-$75 per hour. Factors such as the type of employer—ranging from municipal departments to federal agencies—further influence hourly wages. While some may opt for positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may pursue higher-paying roles that lack these advantages. When it comes to negotiating pay, understanding the specific demands and compensation structures within various departments in Kansas City is essential for maximizing income potential.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City 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