Police Officer Hourly Pay in Hopkinsville, KY: $29.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Hopkinsville, KY runs $29.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,317 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Hopkinsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,785 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $29.48, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the economic conditions and cost of living in the area, which is indexed at 89.3, below the national average. For officers working part-time, typically on a schedule of three days a week, this translates to earnings that can support their livelihood while allowing flexibility. Various job settings include patrol vehicles on assigned beats, booking and report-writing rooms at police stations, and court testimonies. The hourly pay spans a range from $18.07 for entry-level positions to $44.15 for top earners in specialized roles within the community, based on estimates derived from annual salary data.
About the Hopkinsville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.07 | $144.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.42 | $179.32 |
| Median (P50) | $29.48 | $235.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.87 | $295.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.15 | $353.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hopkinsville
Based on $29.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.48/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hopkinsville, KY can expect to earn approximately $61,308 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,370. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hopkinsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hopkinsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,179.01 | $5,109 | $61,308 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $707.40 | $3,065 | $36,785 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.60 | $2,044 | $24,523 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Hopkinsville) | $29.48 |
| 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 Hopkinsville, KY earn a median of $61,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.93% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $62,953.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.48/hr = $36,785/year (purchasing power: $41,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,308/year (purchasing power: $68,654).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Hopkinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Hopkinsville grew 20.7% from $23.70/hr (2019) to $28.60/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.38/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 Hopkinsville 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 Hopkinsville
When considering part-time work, a police officer in Hopkinsville working 24 hours a week would earn significantly less annually than their full-time colleagues, making the choice between part-time and full-time employment a critical decision. Per-diem police officer pay in Hopkinsville can vary based on the type of assignment; opportunities often exist for off-duty assignments that pay cash or through department detail programs at rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour. Hourly variations can also stem from the employer type, with municipal police departments traditionally offering standard pay while federal law enforcement positions provide higher compensation and benefits. As officers weigh their options, they must also consider the trade-off between hourly pay rates and health benefits, which can influence their overall financial stability. Effective negotiation strategies, particularly for roles within the local law enforcement sector, can be vital for maximizing one’s hourly pay and ensuring a favorable compensation package that meets individual needs.
More salary data for Hopkinsville, 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 Hopkinsville. 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 Hopkinsville 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