Police Officer Hourly Pay in Independence, KY: $30.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Independence, KY runs $30.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,424 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Independence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,454 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Independence, Kentucky, the police officer hourly pay is quantified by a median rate of $30.01, which presents a notable contrast against the national median of $37.76. This rate takes into account the essential duties conducted by officers, whether on patrol, handling reports, or providing court testimony. For part-time officers working three days a week, this translates to about $576 per week based on an average of 24 hours. Additionally, those in per-diem roles may find variable earnings depending on their assignments, ranging from patrols to special unit deployments. The hourly pay spectrum in Independence varies significantly; starting from the entry-level rate of $19.29, it can escalate to as high as $44.23 for seasoned professionals, demonstrating the potential for advancement and the importance of experience in determining pay levels in this law enforcement sector.
About the Independence 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) | $19.29 | $154.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.48 | $187.82 |
| Median (P50) | $30.01 | $240.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.14 | $305.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.23 | $353.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Independence
Based on $30.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.01/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Independence, KY can expect to earn approximately $62,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,013. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Independence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Independence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.44 | $5,202 | $62,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.27 | $3,121 | $37,454 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.18 | $2,081 | $24,969 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Independence) | $30.01 |
| 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 Independence, KY earn a median of $62,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.52% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $62,928.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.01/hr = $37,454/year (purchasing power: $41,942).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,423/year (purchasing power: $69,903).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Independence grew 20.7% from $24.13/hr (2019) to $29.12/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.93/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 Independence 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 Independence
Examining potential earnings reveals that a part-time officer working a 24-hour week can expect to take home approximately $29,952 annually. In contrast, full-time officers can earn significantly more due to scheduled overtime and additional duty assignments, which can increase their effective hourly earnings substantially. For instance, overtime work—common in police roles due to court appearances or emergency responses—can add a premium of 1.5x their base rate, making off-duty engagements increasingly lucrative. In Independence, hourly compensation may vary across different types of law enforcement agencies, such as municipal police, county sheriff's offices, or federal agencies like the FBI, affecting both base pay and additional benefits. While some may prioritize immediate hourly earnings, others find value in the stability and health insurance benefits that often accompany lower-paying municipal roles, making effective negotiation skills essential for officers exploring per diem police officer pay options in Independence.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Independence in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Independence?
Are police officers in Independence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Independence?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Independence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 Independence. 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 Independence 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