Police Officer Hourly Pay in Bowling Green, KY: $30.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Bowling Green, KY runs $30.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,403 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Bowling Green's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,441 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For police officers in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 stands at $30.00, which marks a significant gap compared to the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate presents a viable option for individuals considering part-time work in law enforcement, allowing for flexible schedules, especially for those working three days a week in various roles such as patrol, report writing, and courtroom testimonies. The hourly wage can vary considerably, with entry-level officers earning around $19.14 and top earners reaching up to $37.27, showcasing a broad range that accommodates both new recruits and seasoned veterans. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and highlight the differing earning potential depending on experience and specific job functions within the department.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.14 | $153.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.47 | $219.72 |
| Median (P50) | $30.00 | $240.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.19 | $273.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.27 | $298.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bowling Green
Based on $30.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.00/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bowling Green, KY can expect to earn approximately $62,402 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,001. With a cost-of-living index of 90.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bowling Green.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bowling Green
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.03 | $5,200 | $62,402 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.02 | $3,120 | $37,441 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.01 | $2,080 | $24,961 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Bowling Green) | $30.00 |
| 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 Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $62,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.55% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $62,906.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.00/hr = $37,441/year (purchasing power: $41,518).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,402/year (purchasing power: $69,197).
CoL index: 90.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Bowling Green grew 33.9% from $21.74/hr (2019) to $29.11/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.92/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 Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green
Understanding the financial implications of part-time versus full-time work reveals that an officer working 24 hours per week could reasonably expect to take home approximately $37,440 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Additionally, police work often involves overtime, with pay rates of 1.5 times the base for court appearances or extended shifts, which can elevate total earnings by 20-50%. Off-duty jobs, frequently structured as per diem opportunities, can provide officers in Bowling Green access to lucrative roles ranging from $35 to $75 per hour, typically through private agency collaborations or special events. Meanwhile, the nature of employment—whether it’s with municipal departments or federal agencies—affects hourly pay rates due to variances in budget allocations and benefit packages. Officers may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for valuable health insurance and retirement plans, illustrating a common trade-off in law enforcement careers. For those negotiating rates, understanding department budgets and potential overtime opportunities can provide leverage in achieving a more favorable pay structure.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Bowling Green. 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