Police Officer Hourly Pay in Wichita, KS: $30.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Wichita, KS runs $30.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,702 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Wichita's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,621 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita, police officers earn a median hourly rate of $30.15, which trails the national hourly median of $37.76 by a notable margin of over 20%. This difference is significant for part-time officers who may work three days a week, commonly taking home about $21,000 annually, or for those engaged in per diem police officer roles, where earnings can fluctuate based on demand and availability. Police work typically occurs in diverse environments such as patrol vehicles, booking rooms, and various investigative settings. The hourly range for officers in Wichita is broad, starting from approximately $23.10 for entry-level positions to as high as $39.79 for experienced professionals in specialized units, reflecting the range of responsibilities and skills required in law enforcement. These figures are based on the projected 2026 BLS OEWS data.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.10 | $184.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.14 | $209.09 |
| Median (P50) | $30.15 | $241.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.55 | $252.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.79 | $318.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita
Based on $30.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.15/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita, KS can expect to earn approximately $62,702 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,174. With a cost-of-living index of 88.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,205.80 | $5,225 | $62,702 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.48 | $3,135 | $37,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.32 | $2,090 | $25,081 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Wichita) | $30.15 |
| 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 Wichita, KS earn a median of $62,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.17% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 12.20% below the Kansas state average of $71,414.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.15/hr = $37,621/year (purchasing power: $42,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,702/year (purchasing power: $70,494).
CoL index: 88.946 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Wichita grew 28.3% from $22.80/hr (2019) to $29.25/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.07/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 Wichita 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 Wichita
When examining the earning potential of part-time police officers versus full-time counterparts, it's crucial to consider the overall compensation structure. A full-time officer in Wichita may significantly increase their take-home pay due to mandatory overtime for court appearances and special assignments, often earning up to 50% more than their base rate. Off-duty work, such as conducting security for events, can also add lucrative opportunities, with rates between $35 and $75 per hour. Hourly rates for police officers vary based on employer type—municipal departments tend to pay less than federal agencies like the FBI. While some officers may accept a lower hourly rate for the benefits of health insurance and retirement plans, others might prefer the potential for higher hourly earnings that come with agency or contractual work. Negotiating favorable terms is essential for officers in Wichita, particularly in this competitive environment where experience and training can greatly influence pay. Understanding the full spectrum of compensation, including potential for per diem police officer pay in Wichita, can help candidates make informed decisions about their careers.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Wichita. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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